Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

What's eating the basil and corriander?

phildigphildig Posts: 55
in Problem solving
Hello and thank you for reading this message.
I'm creating a herb garden in a front flower bed. The flower bed is surrounded by two walls, the side of the front door step, and in front the driveway. But something is eating the newly planted basil and coriander. Please see photos. There are holes appearing in the middle of the leaves and there are no signs of snails.
What would this pest be and how could I prevent this from happening please?
Thank you again for reading this message.


«1

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Slug damage. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • phildigphildig Posts: 55
    Hello there and thank you for your reply.
    Slugs were ruled out, as no sign of slugs, and how do slugs reach the leaves of such delicate plants when the stems are so fragile? Are there signs that I should be looking for to confirm slugs? (Except the holes in the leaves obviously!)
    Thank you.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Money's on slugs for me too. It's often the tiny ones which do the most damage to plants, and they hide during the day.
    Have you ever seen them climb the very fragile stems of clematis,Phil? 

    Go out at night with a torch. You'll be surprised at what you see, especially after rain  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • phildigphildig Posts: 55
    Thank you for your reply.
    Cheeky little things!
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
     @Fairygirl , OP says it’s not slugs, any other ideas? 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Also check for caterpillars while you have the torch out - some moths seem quite partial to basil.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • phildigphildig Posts: 55
    Thank you for the reply. Caterpillars seemed more likely to my novice ability as the holes are often appearing in the middle of the leaves.
  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    My coriander has been completely destroyed by snails. Basil is also irresistibly tasty to them but I keep mine on top of a copper ring in the greenhouse. I'm 99% sure it will be slugs or snails.
  • phildigphildig Posts: 55
    Hello S.G.
    Thank you for your reply.
    Have been looking out for any creatures enjoying these herbs but not seen any yet.
  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    They're devious little things! Mine do eat holes in the middle of the basil leaves if I leave it undefended.
Sign In or Register to comment.