Pests

[The Goatreich]

Devastated. I've lost all but one of my kale seedlings and most of my radish shoots. I would guess slugs, but I'm not sure. They've mostly just gone! I can plant some more obviously as it's not too late for the kale I don't think, but it's very frustrating.

Humf...

[Two_Sheds]

brassicas?
it could be slugs, snails, woodpigeon or cabbage whites. Take your pick

You really do need to use (organic) slug pellets, and fine netting

[The Goatreich]

I didn't think was danger from birds or caterpillars until the seedlings were of a bigger size. They don't even have any true leaves yet.

[Two_Sheds]

I didn't think was danger from birds or caterpillars until the seedlings were of a bigger size.

why so?


small ones are more tasty

[The Goatreich]

Inexperience and a false sense of confidence in nature

[Nicos]

How rural are you?...could have been bunnies grazing ???...any signs of droppings anywhere nearby?

[The Goatreich]

Not very rural, my back garden has 6ft high fences too.

[WendyC]

I would think slugs or snails. They can do an incredible amount of damage in a short time. I lost a tray of marigold seedlings one night when a snail made its way across the whole tray overnight, as you say leaving a few stumps. Needless to say it didn't live to regret it!

[Two_Sheds]

I didn't think was danger from birds or caterpillars until the seedlings were of a bigger size.

butterflies can smell brassicas from miles away, whatever their size (I've had seedlings in the closed gh that had eggs on them)

Woodpigeons will just eat anything they find, as will slugs n snails. I had six Chinese cabbage seedlings (3" high) waiting to go out at the weekend. Y'day I had four left, and today there were none, not even stumps