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

What's munching on my pumpkin??

msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
in Fruit & veg
Hi all, I've got two pumpkins grown to decent size already, and I thought the skin would be tough enough to deter the slugs. But today saw one of the pumpkins got munched on, and a slug live in action. Not sure if the initial culprit is the slug though, maybe it's just taking advantage of what's been left. What do you guys think please? And how to protect my other pumpkin from the same fate please?

Thanks!


«1

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's just slugs. You need to keep them off the ground to help deter pests. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Its the slug ... and probably snails as well ... they have mouths that act like rasps.  😡

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    Thanks both... They've been left alone for so long I thought slugs would not be keen... I already had a small plastic tray underneath them but probably need to go for something bigger now.

    The damaged pumpkin - can I eat it?  :'(
  • SherwoodArrowSherwoodArrow Posts: 284
    I’d still eat it, you should be able to see how deep the holes go in and cut around the slug damage.  :)
     

    Nottinghamshire.
    Failure is always an option.

  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Dovefromabove said:
    Its the slug ... and probably snails as well ... they have mouths that act like rasps.  😡
    If you live somewhere quiet you can hear the rasping. It sends shivers down my spine. It also helps me and the scissors to find them…..
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    @TheGreenMan. You should hear the noise my giant snails make,  sounds like they’re having a party. 🐌 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    I doubt that one will make it to ripeness now they have made holes in it, so it probably won't ever be edible, if you can keep them off of it and keep it dry the holes may scab over and then yes you can eat it when it's ready, just cut out the nibbled bits.
  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    Too late Skandi  :D

    My pumpkin before and after. Stir fried half of it with some salt, garlic, and spring onion. It doesn't taste too bad, just not much flavour overall (a little bit of sweetness). 

    Suggestions on how to consume the other half left are welcomed.  ;)




  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Same happened to one of mine. I believe the squirrels were the culprits. My pumpkin was sitting on a ledge so no slugs nearby and the damage was done over night/early morning. They’ve also been climbing my sunflowers and bitting it off (see my other threads). I also had to cut it and eat it early. Other pumpkins I’m trying to wrap netting around them to deter the buggers, they won’t like the net around their paws or in their mouth hopefully.

    I sliced mine into a clear broth, very light with some pork and spring onions. I’m going the roast the other half with garlic seasoning.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    How about trying it as a green "papaya" salad?
Sign In or Register to comment.