Newly sprouted pole beans bitten to the stems - Ask Extension
I planted 35' row of pole beans early June, all sprouted together in 5 days, every one came up. Not a blemish. A week ago I noticed snails, planned to...
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Newly sprouted pole beans bitten to the stems #875790
Asked July 03, 2024, 11:34 AM EDT
I planted 35' row of pole beans early June, all sprouted together in 5 days, every one came up. Not a blemish. A week ago I noticed snails, planned to apply Sluggo. Next morning, all the leaves were gone, leaving just the stems. Also, the small, young Kale plants were eaten, leaving the stems. Nothing else was touched, notably not the chard or beet leaves. I also have tomatoes, egg plants, zucchini, herbs, beets, chard.
I replanted the beans, rather than chance re-growth.
I assumed this was snail damage and am spreading snail-bait as needed.
Other suggestions:
* Gopher. I saw one in back yard, am trying to find burrow to deal with it. No other leafy plants have been eaten. If it could get into fence last week, it could now.
* Snails. Snail bait is almost eliminating snails, and they are on the other plants.
* Crows
*Crickets. Lots of tiny crickets.
* Cut worms. I inspected beans every day and never saw worms.
New beans have started sprouting - already some tiny nibbling showing, New Kale leaves show small nibbling also. I sprayed Spinosad/dish soap mix.
I will spread some diatomaceous earth.
What do you think is eating (just) bean sprout leaves and kale leaves? How can I ensure a good crop, especially of beans?
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
Lamoille County Vermont
Expert Response
Correction to my post this morning 7/3/24 11:34 AM "Newly sprouted pole beans bitten to the stems "
* Snails. Snail bait is almost eliminating snails, and they are NOT on the other plants.
Hello Ed,
Nothing more frustrating than to find damage to your plants that you worked hard to nurture. Thank you for your detailed description of the damage and your suspicions. Your description certainly sounds like a Ground Hog, also called a Woodchuck. This is probably what you saw, not a gopher as they are not common in Vermont. If they want to get into a garden it is difficult to keep them out, they dig, they climb. I'm including an article from Penn State https://extension.psu.edu/woodchucks and I'm attaching another article from NH. These give you a description of ways to keep them out or eliminate them.
One clue for me when this happens in my garden is that when the damage is so sudden and complete it is probably a Ground Hog. They have their favorites, such as beans, and leafy plants like lettuce and kale, and carrot tops. I have had damage to my carrots and the beet greens are left untouched that are planned next to the carrots. Tomato plants are not a first choice but they will go after them, especially as the tomatoes ripen.
I wish you well as you protect your crop.
Nothing more frustrating than to find damage to your plants that you worked hard to nurture. Thank you for your detailed description of the damage and your suspicions. Your description certainly sounds like a Ground Hog, also called a Woodchuck. This is probably what you saw, not a gopher as they are not common in Vermont. If they want to get into a garden it is difficult to keep them out, they dig, they climb. I'm including an article from Penn State https://extension.psu.edu/woodchucks and I'm attaching another article from NH. These give you a description of ways to keep them out or eliminate them.
One clue for me when this happens in my garden is that when the damage is so sudden and complete it is probably a Ground Hog. They have their favorites, such as beans, and leafy plants like lettuce and kale, and carrot tops. I have had damage to my carrots and the beet greens are left untouched that are planned next to the carrots. Tomato plants are not a first choice but they will go after them, especially as the tomatoes ripen.
I wish you well as you protect your crop.
