Hi I'm a refugee from the BBC veg forum, some one put up a link to this forum to go to as an alternative.
Pests !! the one thing I really struggle with, from cats and foxes digging up my beds birds pecking out stuff to various diseases like blight and mosaic virus can drastically cut down yield. last year was especially bad I only really got leafy things like cavolo nero and chard, tomatoes,courgettes beans (unsuitable weather I think) all succumbed to something or other.
I have three 10 x 4 foot raised beds and now I make a covering of plastic mesh over hoops of plastic tubing to make a complete tight tunnel to keep out four legged beast. A couple of weeks I confidently sowed one bed with cavolo nero and spinach and mange tout and duly put the tunnel up....this morning I noticed neat little holes along the mange toute row with the growing shoots broken or bitten off.....rodent of some kind ? can't be bird, what can a bloke do ?
I'm no organic kinda bloke I use slug pellets and spray when I need to against whatever, the rear guard battle action against pests and diseases sometimes can make veg gardening a little dispiriting.
I can see now why farming is very scientific and industrial imagine the lost investment if it happened to an expensive huge crop.
Hi
In regards to your pest problem,a friend introduced me to a spray that he has used since last year
Its called" Grazers".
He swears by it, the difference in the last 2 seasons is unbelievable
I am trying it myself,having planted some Kale to try it out,and its been out 2 weeks and the pigeons have not been bothering it a few pecks hear and there,but it puts a taste on it they do not like.
Its a nutrient,not harmfull to animals etc
its priced at £13. and a bottle does about a hectare
Google it
Best of luck
Thanks Samand pigeons can't be my problem in this case or any other bird because they can't get into my mesh tunnel but I'll get some and try it to see if it put's off whatever has eaten my mange toute, I can only think it could be mice.
A knew pest for me !
Mice will run undercovers to keep away form this awful weather..and for its delight there is 'snack' served in as well.. ::)
I did wonder at it goodlife they will have been exposed to the elements to get at my peas....the mesh is about 1/2" not cover really, plenty enough to let the wind and rain in ???