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Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: vaca on April 24, 2006, 22:04:31

Title: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: vaca on April 24, 2006, 22:04:31
Last week I planted my potatoes - today I went to the allotment and found loads of them had been dug up but not eaten. They were just sitting on top of the soil and there was visible signs of digging around the rows. Could this be a cat? perhaps a fox?

any ideas??

I've managed to dig them in again, but am afraid they'll be dug up again  :'(
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: jennym on April 24, 2006, 22:42:09
The foxes dig up my spuds too, I've seen the droppings. But it is usually later in the year.
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: vaca on April 24, 2006, 23:56:59
is it worth covering up with plastic until the leaves come through to stop it happening again? I could remove the plastic when watering  ???

thanks
Vaca
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: jennym on April 25, 2006, 11:33:56
Don't see why it shouldn't work as long as you do remove it when the leaves start coming :)
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: angle shades on April 26, 2006, 18:19:10
:)do you have any squirrels near you? it could be a fox, but the squirrels are being a bit naughty on my plot ;D ;D/angle shades x
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: supersprout on April 26, 2006, 18:21:48
A friend of mine only grows her potatoes in tubs now because of badgers. When I saw the damage, it looked like a rotavator had been through the patch. The spuds were dug up but not eaten, though my friend said they badgers wee on them before leaving. A possibility?
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: TEL on April 26, 2006, 20:47:24
on my site its bugs bunny that digs mine up may be that :D
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: vaca on April 26, 2006, 21:47:51
went back and some were again dug up  :(

I replanted them, and covered them up with plastic until the shoots come through.

Whatever it was did urinate over the rows of spuds... was quite a strong pungent smell. I think it's a fox, I've seen a couple over the last few days...

Vaca
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: Merry Tiller on April 27, 2006, 16:10:23
Did you put bonemeal in when you were planting?
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: vaca on April 27, 2006, 16:25:17
Quote from: Merry Tiller on April 27, 2006, 16:10:23
Did you put bonemeal in when you were planting?

No, I did not. Why do you ask? should I have  ???

Vaca
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: katynewbie on April 27, 2006, 19:17:14
:-\

Think the smell of bonemeal might attract the foxes? Maybe thats what he means!!

;)
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: Merry Tiller on April 27, 2006, 22:55:26
Yup, foxes and badgers go for it bigstyle
Title: Re: Who's digging up my potatoes?
Post by: David R on May 05, 2006, 13:07:23
If plastic is no good, use some chicken wire, open type netting or that orange stuff used on roadworks (not stolen obviously!). It might also help to spread a little of your own "scent" over the rows