From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Belmont, WV

In the past I have had birds snap Pepper and tomato plants, but this year they have snapped two of my pumpkin plants. Both were way past first true leaf stage and I was wanting suggestions on what to use or do to get rid of them for the time being. I am not a big fan of netting and have cd's, pie pans, an owl and snake that are all in and around my garden. Last question; On one of the plants, the birds just snipped off the first true leaf, will the plant be ok or should I use a backup? Thanks everyone and happy 2011 growing- Doc

5/11/2011 1:22:43 PM

Macomb County

Are you sure it's bird damage? It sounds more like rabbit or rodent damage. Birds are normally good for the garden because they eat insects and weed seeds. The only time I've seen them bother leaves is when there was a water shortage.

5/11/2011 4:07:03 PM

Macomb County

Of course, with the exception of things like berries and cherry tomatoes, I should add.

5/11/2011 4:07:55 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Birds love freshly sprouted pumpkin seeds...when we would plant the field they would
zero in on the pretty coated hybrids...

5/11/2011 9:23:09 PM

Macomb County

Oh, if you plant them in the field. I thought he meant if you set them out as transplants.

5/12/2011 8:55:58 AM

Belmont, WV

No I mean actual seedlings-

5/12/2011 9:04:48 AM

Corbin, KY

Shotgun!

5/12/2011 9:19:13 AM

Rhode Island

place a wire mesh hoop over the young seedling. id suggest a piece of wire fencing with 3" x 3" openings in the wire. ----cut and form a hoop to put over plants.----this type of hoop also works well on cold nights laid over the plant with a sheet covering the piece of hoop. ---- keeps the plant that little bit extra of warmth be in in a small greenhouse or out in the open. ------ cold kills as fast as birds, critters and wind.

5/12/2011 7:13:34 PM

South Hero, VT

Put bamboo stakes in ground in grid pattern. Weave string in, between and around stakes to foil birds landing and eating your seedlings.

If the problem is rabbits(and it probably is), get a live trap and bait it with sunflower seeds. Dispose of animal in whatever way you see fit.

If you catch a skunk, send me an email via my diary, and I'll tell you what to do. lol

5/12/2011 8:39:29 PM

Johnston, Iowa

Time to go "Rambo" on the wildlife

5/13/2011 9:07:31 AM

Upa Creek, MO

I bought a pet Peregrine Falcon to dispatch of any unwanted birds.

5/13/2011 10:26:27 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

A picture of Eddy the ICeman scareZ all of mankinds creatures from BiZ's patch......only thing it dont scare iZ the nematodeZ......lol

5/13/2011 10:54:01 AM

[email protected]

wiz does it work on vine bores?

5/13/2011 11:35:22 AM

Belmont, WV

Thanks everyone, gonna give pap's suggestion a try

5/13/2011 2:29:25 PM

Belmont, WV

Pap, are the ones with the first true leave gone alright to keep or should I go with backuos? thx

5/13/2011 2:31:34 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Not that pap needs it, but I'll vouch for his suggestion. I did exactly as he described three years ago after losing the growing tips of my main vines to birds(it was NEVER the secondaries they went after). Now, as the main grows, the hoop moves.

5/14/2011 6:13:56 AM

Rhode Island

doc------as long as the leafs continue to develop? no need to go to backups.these plants are very resilient

5/15/2011 7:35:39 AM

Belmont, WV

Thanks all

5/16/2011 12:50:44 PM