Swede

We planted some swede seeds earlier in the year, and they appeared to be doing fine - until last week.

Went to weed and thin them, and found most of the leaves have been eaten. They look like leafy skeletons!

The swedes still appear to be growing (think enough leaves are still untouched), but we're scratching our heads over what's got at them.

There's no sign of caterpillars or slugs/snails, and all the surrounding fruit and veg plants are untouched.

Any clues, anyone?

Re: Swede

I'd blame the slugs and snails, which have probably moved on to another restaurant by now.

Don't the slugs live in the soil anyway?

Failing that, squirrels?

Re: Swede

I had the same trouble with beetroot which I had smothered in slug pellets and covered with chicken wire and yet something ate them.........I suspected mice which I have seen in my garden.

Re: Swede

hmm, could be mice I suppose - our garden has a hedge separating us from a small meadow, so there could be all sorts living in there!

Re: Swede

I had the same thing Alan then two years ago I sowed Beetroot in plastic troughs with intention of planting them out later then forgot to leave room in my raised beds so they stayed in the troughs, in the plastic greenhouse.

Then one day I was out weeding and saw a sparrow go into the greenhouse and start shredding the Beetroot leaves!

It turned out that greenfly was getting into the greenhouse so the sparrow were getting the greenfly but shredding the Beetroot leaves in the process!

You could have the same problem but then I've seen wood mice eat beetroot leaves too.

By the way, our Swede's suddenly been eaten too! stevmk2

Re: Swede

Pigeons could be eating the swede leaves.

Re: Swede

Really?

We get loads of the things here - real pests that crash around in the flower beds but the Swedes are very close to the house and they don't normally come that close. stevmk2

Re: Swede

They like their greens,just a possibility,they mighten come close when you are around.