Tuesday, June 8, 2010
What's Eating you???
That's the mystery right now... what's eating my baby plants?? I can't get my poor cucumbers to grow for the life of me because of some little bug. I've replanted 3 times!!! I tried covering the little sprouts with a tent and the bug has the magical power to get through it. And that's not the only plant it finds tasty because some of my beans are being eaten as well. Any suggestions on how to save my babies??
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4 comments:
my guess would be slugs, caterpillars or aphids. Have you seen evidence of any of them around?
You could start attracting beneficial birds to eat your slugs or caterpillars. Or get chickens. Ladybugs eat aphids, and you can buy them in bulk!
I never knew it but rolly pollys (sow bugs) are also a culprit. They will eat seedlings but leave mature plants alone. Honestly probably the best way to go about it is starting your seedlings indoors. I've seen people use egg shell halves and then just crack them open as they plant them.
BUT if thats not an option Try putting a board in your garden. The offending bug will likely use it for shelter in the day so you can find out who is munching on your seedlings. If they are slugs you can just put the dump them in a bucket of soapy water to get rid of them. I've also heard of using beer in a pie tin. Not sure how that works but I'm sure Google's got plenty of links on that
Sorry... just to be clearer, Leave the board out and check out who/what's hiding underneath it in the morning.
Thanks for all the advice! I am actually getting chickens in the next few months- So excited!! And I have been meaning to get ladybugs, but having gotten them yet... Will need to do this week!
I did start my seeds indoors when I started some in early spring, but things went awry. Per your advice, I am going to start some new cucumbers inside.
I like the idea about the board in the garden to see what's living under it! I should actually just turn over a stepping stone next to the box with the cucumbers...
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