Vox Hunt: Workin' Hard

May 15, 2008 at 4:24 PM
10 comments

Show us what you're working on right now.
Submitted by yygall.

I'm working on trying to find out what the heck is eating my tomato plants..the only thing I've ruled out so far is zombies.

Look at this poor little guy..yesterday it was a plant and now it's nothin' but a nub..

Sniff-Sniff

This one didn't fair much better..

Mangled

I suspect an animal as opposed to an insect because of the bite marks..

Bite-Mark

But just in case, in addition to cages and chicken wire..which is a bummer because I wanted to use something more aesthetically pleasing to hold that plants up, I'm gonna make some red pepper tea and drench the remaining plants with it.

Any other ideas would be appreciated. I've got to hurry up and figure this problem out..I've got heirloom tomato plants being delivered next week and I don't want them eaten by anything but me and not until they are in tomato form.

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I think some hidden cameras are a good next step - I'll work on that.

I don't know if deer or rabbits eat tomatoes, but they sure like tulips and azaleas! I bought some animal repellant at Wal-Mart that seems to be working well. They're dry pellets that you sprinkle around the perimeter of your plant. I guess they smell like people or something equally unpleasant.

Where's that flashlight- Bastards, the voles are back LOL!!! Sorry, I just couldn't
help my self Heehee!!!! I hope you find out what is eating your tomato plants, and soon, too!!!

Have a great Friday Jamie :)

That's the first thing I said when I saw the plants eaten...bastards.

It was the deer that DeWitte "wounded" last year. She and her family have found you, now you are responsible for them. Just think of the photo possibilities....... It's just the way it is.

I suspect a fuzzy bunny. We had some white rabbits hanging out in a yard a few summers back. (must have been someone's pets at some point) They were all cute til they started eating my wave petunias. Then we caught them and released them in a nearby state park.

LOL!!! I knew you would- Heehee!!! I'm learning more about you my friend (smile)

Hummm. Generally above ground damage is slug or snail, but I think you are right, that it looks like rabbit or deer. You can try surrounding the plants with dog hair (I suggest killing the bumpass dog whilst you are at it), or use a spray, or wire. Also, you may need to add a fertilizer for your tomatoes - they are heavy feeders and the mulch around the plant will be taking up some of the nitrogen. Good luck. Rabbit stew with just a little Dijon is quite lovely.

Thanks Jax! What's the best kind of fertilizer to use? I'm trying to stay all natural with the veggie plants..maybe fish meal or something?

A good compost is the best thing. And you can never go wrong with putting crushed eggshells around the plants (they like the calcium). Some people put wood ash around them too - for potash maybe?? I think that you want a pretty balanced fertilizer, but not too high in nitrogen (which will give you more leaves than fruit), so make sure the first number is lower. (Fertilzer is always N-P-K, or Nitrogen, Potasium, Phosphorus.) I think that you can bet some good fish or kelp fertilizers. Vegetables are not really my field (Ha! that made me snicker), and I would ask at your local farmers market. Usually the vendors at these types of things are more than happy to talk plants with you.

Vox Hunt: Workin' Hard

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