what is eating my plants

bargainbasement

my lettuce is ruined and something has been scratting in my pot of onions. There is evidence of nibbling and scratting so i am guessing not slugs. would it be cats?:mad:

jenie_2

Mice ? saw one in my garden the night before last when I was watering.

bargainbasement

jenie wrote: »

Mice ? saw one in my garden the night before last when I was watering.

what can i do to stop them? my onions are nearly all scratted up

ixwood

In my experience scratting is often birds. The blackbirds LOVE one my beds because it's full of worms and other critters and they spend a large part of every day rooting about in it. It doesn't do my seedlings a lot of good, but hey ho, their need is greater than mine.

I don't think they would nibble plants though. Maybe sparrows or pigeons?

ixwood

Robins are also prone to rooting around in pots, but you don't see them much in gardens at this time of year.

Lotus-eater

If we could see a picture of your lettuce, we could probably work it out. Small birds take triangular bits out of the ends of leaves. leaving a jagged edge. Slugs work in more rounded damage.
It could be a combination of things.

bargainbasement

Lotus-eater wrote: »

If we could see a picture of your lettuce, we could probably work it out. Small birds take triangular bits out of the ends of leaves. leaving a jagged edge. Slugs work in more rounded damage.
It could be a combination of things.

hi i have given up and dug out what was left of the lettuce and replaced with bedding plants. We do get alot of birds particularly doves in the garden wonder if it could have been them. I didn't fancy eating it anyway not knowing what has been nibbling!

kazschow

I think a rabbit ate my lupins!!! They have only got stalks left, and no leaves Is a rabbit the most likely cuprit fo you think? nothing else has been touched!!!

Lotus-eater

bargainbasement wrote: »

hi i have given up and dug out what was left of the lettuce and replaced with bedding plants. We do get alot of birds particularly doves in the garden wonder if it could have been them. I didn't fancy eating it anyway not knowing what has been nibbling!

Well look at it this way, you eat something that has been grown without any added chemicals in your garden, but maybe nibbled by a slug or bird, or you buy a pesticide/herbicide/fertiliser filled one from the shop. Unless you can find an organic lettuce.

The choice to me is obvious, but we all have to make up our own mind.

bargainbasement

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Well look at it this way, you eat something that has been grown without any added chemicals in your garden, but maybe nibbled by a slug or bird, or you buy a pesticide/herbicide/fertiliser filled one from the shop. Unless you can find an organic lettuce.

The choice to me is obvious, but we all have to make up our own mind.

I hear what you are saying, i just had it in my mind it was a rat and it put me off!