WHAT's eating my Spring Onions?

bonnamh · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:36 am Post subject: WHAT's eating my Spring Onions?

Hi:)

We have 2 raised beds each about a foot high with a variety of veg planted.
Apart from a few nibbles on the lettuce and cabbages which we will just accept, we are getting away with no pestices and no sign of slugs so far touch wood!

However, in the last week something has started eating whole rows of spring onion from the top down .. ie. feeding on the green shoots .. they look just like the green tops have been cut off with a knife.

I'd really appreciate any ideas/suggestions, we're new to this

Thanks
Chris Smile

Belfast · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject:

any photos

michael brenock · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject:

more than likely you have slugs present. Pigeons and rabbits will also graze them off. if you have slugs eating other crops then they will attack onions. Put out some slug bait and put some nets in place, cutworms would leave the top portion of the severed leaf.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

bonnamh · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject: Pics

Belfast asked for pics so just to be sure I'm explaining myself properly I'm posting some now.

Michael, Thank you very much for the advice.
We haven't seen a single slug ever (and the patch is beside the line so I'm always in and out with my three-year-old weeding etc.)
We do however have LOTS of rabbits around the place, that's why we have the fence which is two feet high and more-or-less buried.
Pics attached show damage to other plants but it is minor ie. only effecting some rows planted in the last month I think
Does this clarify things? Do you still think slugs ??

Chris:)

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject:

looks like rabbit damage, so put up the nets
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

bonnamh · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:15 am Post subject:

Thanks again Michael Smile

We've been weighing up the damage against the cost and hassle of nets and think we'll take our chances.
We've put the plot somewhere very convenient and near the house so the kids pop in and out and weed and pull lettuce etc and think it's worth giving up a few lettuces & onions to keep that!
Thanks very much for your advice though.
Knowing it's most likely rabbits, we can keep an eye on the fence and watch for burrowing etc.
Much appreciated Smile

Chris

bonnamh · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:41 pm Post subject: Oops

FYI smallish young rabbit able to hop THROUGH the fence, I caught him in the act !
He was going for the cabbages mainly.
Put up some emergency fencing/cover for the night, off to builders providers for chicken wire tomorrow
Hoping 1.5 to 2 feet of it around bottom of fence will stop little fellas getting through.
Sad

http://www.irishwoodshop.com/blog/?cat=17

Loncey · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:05 am Post subject:

my spring onions are exactly the same. and they are in an enclosed area so its not rabbits or birds. i planted them in the veg patch we have and within 2 wks they were eaten down to the nothing. if it were an animal I would A) get new cats in and b) have no strawberries left cos they are up in that area too but are fine. The onions i planted in boxes and containers are fine but all in the veg patch are now gone.

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 4:03 pm Post subject:

Rabbits are deadly in a vegetable garden. I use two remedies: five-feet high chicken wire all around the garden and rabbit pie.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

michael brenock · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:19 pm Post subject:

rabbits like a good mixed diet but so do humans. try and get there before the rabbits in the morning.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)