If you did a good job of loosening the soil when you planted, the small holes could be squirrels burying food stores. The animals sounds like the last friend my cats brought inside to play with. It took us three days to catch it, and I never did get a good look at what it was. Definitely larger than anything else they have brought home, but too gray and unstriped for a chipmunk.

I don't think it's squirrels or chipmunks. I see lots of squirrels around but never near my garden. Plenty in the backyard, where I have lots of holes in the spring. Very few if any chipmunks in my neighborhood. I wasn't sure the difference between a mole and a vole so I guessed either of those. My cats are indoor only but there are a few in the neighborhood (perhaps explains the lack of chipmunks!). Funny thing is, I planted catmint so I would think the cats would frequent my garden and keep the pests away. Any thing I can do about voles? They seem to love the roots of my echinacea and monarda. I would hate to see either of those die to these critters.

Double check that they are not tunnels. If they really aren't then it is not rats. That's what you really want want NOT to have!

good information on this forum about voles. Very challenging to the gardener and the garden and I'm glad that so far I haven't had to deal with that little pest

Ugh yes Marie. I saw your post about rats. I hope to god it's not rats. It just looks like root digging and chewing to me.

We've had minor vole issues (saw a few, could see their tracks in the grass/snow) but never did anything about it--I think the neighborhood cat must have taken care of it. You can try trapping, or there are some mole/vole repellents, but I'm not sure whether they work.

http://awaytogarden.com/battling-mice-voles-never-mothballs/

This video describes how to set traps but ends with the recommendation to drown them. :-( Not sure I'd have the stomach for that!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzouRBNSfsM