What is it?? - Garden Plants and Gardening Forum

mainemom32 · 06-05-2008, 01:54 PM

I have a small, fenced-in, yard that contains my vegetable garden. This year something is eating the tops off my tomato plants. Also is eating tops from my pole beans, summer squash and cukes. However, it isn't eating my lettuce. Now, there is no way anything can crawl under the fence(I check everyday to see if anything is digging under) and I doubt much can get over it(it's a stockade fence) besides squirrels. I'm very frustrated at this point since I'm not sure what steps to take to stop further damage. I really don't want to use any chemicals in my veggie garden.

Thanks in advance for any ideas and /or advice!

Constance · 06-07-2008, 08:31 AM

It sounds like birds to me. They love to snip the tops off young tender plants for their nests. Try hanging tin pie pans, or some metallic tape that will blow in the wind. Some people also have luck placing a toy snake in the garden.

mainemom32 · 06-09-2008, 03:55 PM

Thank you! I will try that. It's been a rather large mystery around here since my lettuce hasn't been touched at all. Something has eaten the tops off my marigold plants as well(no blossoms yet). I guess I'm having a tough go of it here this year.

paul b long · 06-17-2008, 03:08 AM

Something's eating the tops of my marigolds too. I think it's snugs and snails. It's been a terrible year for those in my neck of the woods - too much summer rain.

06-05-2008, 01:54 PM	#1
mainemom32 Green Gardener Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Waterville, Maine Posts: 3	What is it?? I have a small, fenced-in, yard that contains my vegetable garden. This year something is eating the tops off my tomato plants. Also is eating tops from my pole beans, summer squash and cukes. However, it isn't eating my lettuce. Now, there is no way anything can crawl under the fence(I check everyday to see if anything is digging under) and I doubt much can get over it(it's a stockade fence) besides squirrels. I'm very frustrated at this point since I'm not sure what steps to take to stop further damage. I really don't want to use any chemicals in my veggie garden. Thanks in advance for any ideas and /or advice!

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06-07-2008, 08:31 AM	#2
Constance Green Gardener Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: southern Illinois Posts: 26	It sounds like birds to me. They love to snip the tops off young tender plants for their nests. Try hanging tin pie pans, or some metallic tape that will blow in the wind. Some people also have luck placing a toy snake in the garden.

06-09-2008, 03:55 PM	#3
mainemom32 Green Gardener Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Waterville, Maine Posts: 3	Thank you! I will try that. It's been a rather large mystery around here since my lettuce hasn't been touched at all. Something has eaten the tops off my marigold plants as well(no blossoms yet). I guess I'm having a tough go of it here this year.

06-17-2008, 03:08 AM	#4
paul b long Green Gardener Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Finchley, North London Posts: 27	Something's eating the tops of my marigolds too. I think it's snugs and snails. It's been a terrible year for those in my neck of the woods - too much summer rain.