will beans recover?

[janeyo]

I planted my 6 inch tall broad beans out yesterday.

The deer have been in overnight and pulled them all up, toilet rolls strewn about! They are now only about 1 inch high, been munched off.

Will they recover or should I sow some more?

We fenced the deer out and haven't seen them for over a week so a bit gutted to think they have found a new way in

[Eyren]

If there are no leaves left, I suspect there's no growing points from which to produce more. I would sow some more - my second batch only went in ten days ago (in modules indoors), and they're germinating already. The first batch are in the ground but still under a netting tunnel, just in case, to protect them from pigeons - luckily I don't have any problems with furry pests!

[Flummery]

I'd replant those AND sow some more - you might get successional sowing - something I never quite get right!

By the way, Venison is very tasty. Probably goes really well with broadies!

[zazen999]

Have you got a plastic storage box [see through] that you can put over them with a brick on the top to keep the old dears away?

[janeyo]

There are leaves left, they look like they have been pinched out a bit vigorously lol. Maybe they weren't as tasty as they hoped.

I have replanted them, and will net them later (could have done this YESTERDAY grrrrrr) and will re-sow a few more too. Will hunt out some mini-cloches too.
Thanks
I can't get anyone to shoot the darn things. Might get me a GUN and do it MYSELF. Used to be a good shot at school on the rifle range (was private we did that kind of thing lol) and used to beat all the boys!

[matthew2riches]

Agreed - Venison is very nice!

[rogesse]

Oh no, pigeons - netting, I forgot

I guess that'll be me resowing as well

[Victoria26]

I've just put my petit pois and broad beans in the ground today after hardening them off. This weeks temperatures and weather look quite pleasant so I'm hoping that they'll get a good start.

Oh and I have no probs with birds in my garden due to the 2 cats and a german shepherd prowling constantly! LOL

My problem...is ANTS!!!!!

[janeyo]

Well I went down to put some coverings on them to find the PIGEONS were having a go too. Didn't even barely move when I shooed them, cheeky beggars.

I will sow some more tomorrow when I get some more compost.

[Newbie]

Is it now warm enough to be planting peas & beans out in the veg patch? I've been umming & erring for the last week?

[bazzaboy]

Janeyo, unlikely as it sounds the “How To Do Just About Everything” site actually suggests ways of protecting your crops from deer…. See
How to Protect Your Garden From Deer | eHow.com
Be warned it can involve 12 foot high electric fences… though certain scents or a dog offer more realistic options.
There’s also a deer scarer on e-bay
PORTEK HawkEye DEER DETERRENT / Scarer ? Protect Crops! on eBay, also, Other Agriculture Farming, Agriculture Farming, Business, Office Industrial (end time 26-Mar-09 17:31:01 GMT)
– but £150 ! Basically a windmill, there’s a working model (scares me) so maybe you could get some creative soul to make one for you…
If both options fail, reviving your crack-shot youth is probably the best bet - invite us all to the BBQ and we’ll bring you replacement seedlings! b.

[Flummery]

Is it now warm enough to be planting peas & beans out in the veg patch? I've been umming & erring for the last week?

Peas, yes. Broad beans, yes. French and runners, no - they will be killed by frost and most places still get frosts in May.

[rogesse]

I think I read somewhere that semolina is a good ant killer - the workers feed the queen who swells then bursts thus not producing anymore workers....(they only last a few days themselves).

Tried it last year with some effect - but didn't kill them off totally

[w33blegurl]

Stupid quiestion....but do you make the semolina up or leave out the dry stuff? We seem to have Kent's entire ant population in our garden!

[Victoria26]

I searched for all previous threads with ANTS in the title. I knew they were a pest but didn't realise they "farm" blackfly on broad beans to harvest their sweet excretions.

Was some really useful information - like sprinkling cinnamon around as they hate the smell. Have a look.