Damage to vegetables - Ask Extension
I planted my garden in mid May as I was to be out of town last week of May until now. Hoped all would be well, Except for peas which mostly failed to...
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Damage to vegetables #873085
Asked June 14, 2024, 10:30 AM EDT
I planted my garden in mid May as I was to be out of town last week of May until now. Hoped all would be well, Except for peas which mostly failed to emerge, plants started well. When, I returned this week i found that the few peas which grew have all been nibbled off at about 4-6" Also observe that some of the carrot tops have been chewed on, side shoots, main stem is still intact. The garden is fenced to keep rabbits out.
I am guessing that the peas failed due to damping off but am wondering what might have damaged the few that did grow and the carrots.
Thank you
Goodhue County Minnesota
Expert Response
Without a picture of the damage and more information we cannot accurately assess the cause of the damage. For example it could be squirrels or insects or birds. That said the following websites may be helpful.
1. https://extension.umn.edu/news/keeping-animals-out-your-garden
2. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/vegetable/carrot/
3. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/vegetable/peas/
1. https://extension.umn.edu/news/keeping-animals-out-your-garden
2. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/vegetable/carrot/
3. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/vegetable/peas/
Thank you for the response
The carrots seem to have outgrown whatever afflicted them
The peas were likly hit by damping off fungus
Am stilll puzzled by what might have chewed the peas that did grow. Photo attached
Double checked fence not rabbits
Thank you
These look like squirrel damage. They make flat cuts on stems and branches. The following websites give ideas on how to manage them.
1. https://bonnieplants.com/blogs/garden-fundamentals/keeping-squirrels-out-of-the-garden
2. https://extension.umn.edu/news/keeping-animals-out-your-garden
3. https://ag.umass.edu/home-lawn-garden/fact-sheets/wildlife-excluding-repelling-problem-wildlife-from-garden
1. https://bonnieplants.com/blogs/garden-fundamentals/keeping-squirrels-out-of-the-garden
2. https://extension.umn.edu/news/keeping-animals-out-your-garden
3. https://ag.umass.edu/home-lawn-garden/fact-sheets/wildlife-excluding-repelling-problem-wildlife-from-garden
