We are having increasing problems with large animals eating our crops:
1. Muntjack deer - these live on the allotments and eat the tops of young plants; especially french and runner beans. I believe they are protected species. Any ideas how to safeguard crops. They are very small deer, about the size of a dog.
2. Badgers - again a growing problem and seemingly unstoppable. They dig up crops, particularly growing in good compost, to look for worms. They also play havoc with paths by digging loads of holes. I don't think much can be done about this.
3. Rabbits - remove cabbage plants completely - it's as if you never planted them out. I think low netting deters these but would welcome further suggestions.
....... and we haven't got onto slugs, pigeons or thieves yet!
Poor you - and I thought I had problems with foxes, pigeons and slugs! Where is your allotment site - it must be great to watch them, but not when they are eating your plants!
The allotments are on the outskirts of Leamington Spa in Warwickshire. The deer are wild in the local countryside and I have even seen them running round parks in the town.
I saw one on my allotment early in the morning - it looked like a brown dog.
Badgers are everywhere, they are protected, unless they come into contcat with cows and are very difficult to remove. If you put a rabbit-proof fence up they will either dig under it or just push it over.
Rabbits are again everywhere. I see loads on the way to work even sitting or platforms of railway stations watching the trains. These most certainly can, and should be caught and eaten.
Oh have just posted a new topic about my rabbit problem.
I have a baby one on my plot and it did the same to my cabbage and caulies, just as though they'd never been planted. Any ideas for organic deterent?????