Veggies getting eaten by something - Ask Extension
When we left for vacation two weeks ago, I had a few little zucchini, some green and red cherry tomatoes, and many new flowers on my tomato and zucchi...
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Veggies getting eaten by something #877140
Asked July 14, 2024, 10:03 AM EDT
When we left for vacation two weeks ago, I had a few little zucchini, some green and red cherry tomatoes, and many new flowers on my tomato and zucchini plants which I hoped would produce fruit. Before we left, I had installed a chicken wire fence and sprayed a fresh round of liquid fence around the garden. When we returned, the flowers were mostly gone and all the zucchini and tomatoes are gone. The tops of the plants look like they were bitten off cleanly. I am upset, what should I do now? Is there any hope to regrow them and how do I protect them better?
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Wow! Whatever got in there really had a feast! To me, it looks like deer had a great meal at your expense. I have seen rabbits go under fences like the one you have, but the damage on the tomato plants is too high for a rabbit to get.
I am not familiar with liquid fence, but it appears it should work for anything coming in on the ground. I believe deer can jump the fence you have installed, and there is no way to tell if the liquid fence would have been adequate with the amount of rain we have had or if a motivated deer would be deterred by a ground spray.
The tomato plants should be fine, and I don't believe there is an obvious answer to the zucchini. I would not take them out, just wait and see what happens and if the roots can give nutrition to regrow the tops.
I think your fence needs to be higher to prevent deer. I found this article which has alot of great tips on helping to protect your garden better.
Good luck and I am going to try some of these for my area!!
Leslie
EMG
I am not familiar with liquid fence, but it appears it should work for anything coming in on the ground. I believe deer can jump the fence you have installed, and there is no way to tell if the liquid fence would have been adequate with the amount of rain we have had or if a motivated deer would be deterred by a ground spray.
The tomato plants should be fine, and I don't believe there is an obvious answer to the zucchini. I would not take them out, just wait and see what happens and if the roots can give nutrition to regrow the tops.
I think your fence needs to be higher to prevent deer. I found this article which has alot of great tips on helping to protect your garden better.
Good luck and I am going to try some of these for my area!!
Leslie
EMG
