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What's eating my beetroot, Swiss chard & pea seedlings??
Gardener Eve
Posts: 118
This year I started a vegetable patch.
It is slightly raised from the ground and have mixed in well rotted manure and multipurpose compost in with the original soil.
I tried Swiss chard seeds, beetroot seeds and pea seeds.
The Swiss chard and beetroot never got past seedling stage as something seemed to be nibbling on the leaves but there were no slime trails.
The same is happening to the peas.
Should I assume this is due to slugs and snails even though there is no slime trail or could there be another reason?
Thanks
0
Posts
Probably slugs or snails (you are right in that they don't often leave visible trails) but it could also be woodpigeons if you have any of those around. If pigeons, netting is the only protection which will actually work.
If they are nibbling it's the slimers.
Pigeons tend to take the whole seedling with beetroot. I have lost rows of the stuff.
oh : (
Is it better to raise the seedlings in trays first and then plant out?
Or will they still eat them even if larger?
What about using a cloche to get them going til they're stronger?
The slugs have been awful this year but I usually see evidence!
I guess it's too late to try again this year...
I feel your frustration Gardener Eve - I have lost so much to slugs, particularly this year. The only veg and tender plants that have been successful for me are the ones in pots (even then a regime of protection and removal is required). Larger plants do seem more resistant so I often grow plants in pots until they are robust and some I even leave in the pots but display in the border.
I don't do much veg these days as the time versus yield ratio is not very effeciant in my slug-rich garden!
Efficient even! (predictive type needs educating!)
For the first year ever on this garden we're losing lots of seedlings to slugs. We've ordered nematodes and the arrived this afternoon. They'll be applied this week
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm going to order some - when is the best time to apply them??