Broad beans eaten around the edges...

[Bluemchen]

What has been eating my broad beans??? Little chunks have been taken from all around the edges of the leaves - a little like the damage I imagine a leaf cutting bee might leave (unsure if I have imagined these creatures!!). There is also the odd dark brown spot on the leaves to see.

Any ideas and/ or organic solutions?

Thanks

[walshie]

The chunks taken from the leaves are usally pidgeons, they like new shoots and leaves, especially brassicas. cover with netting until they are older, you could also hang cd's from a piece of string attached to a slanted cane as they are quite nervous birds.

[sewer rat]

There is also the odd dark brown spot on the leaves to see.

Any ideas and/ or organic solutions?

Thanks

The dark brown sspots could be he start of Chocolate Spot. This is very common in broad beans but usually has little or no effect on the crop. I've had it every year I've grown broadies and they have always been fine - treat it as a cosmetic blemish

[Alan Farmer]

I don't think it's pigeons, as I also have plants with chunks out, and my beans have been under cloches for 3/4 weeks !

[taff]

slugs......

[Glaurung]

pea and bean weavil maybe. Are there greyish beetle sized weavils that drop off if you shake the plant?

[Capsid]

I think it's bean weevil too if they are little semi-circular chunks on the leaf edges about a few millimetres across. It's very common and does not affect productivity.

[perkin]

Thanks - this has saved me asking the same question. Noticed the nibbled edges at the weekend. Pea/bean weevil - little blighter! Glad to hear it's not a problem with the bean harvest though.

[Demeter]

I still wouldn't rule out slugs.
Grrr.

[janeyo]

Mine weren't so much nibbled as ripped from the ground - loo rolls and all- by the pesky deer. They are now under cloches til they get a bit bigger.

[Two_Sheds]

What has been eating my broad beans??? Little chunks have been taken from all around the edges of the leaves - a little like the damage I imagine a leaf cutting bee might leave

100% pea & bean weevil.
Pigeons wouldn't take such dainty bites.

Garden pests - removing pea and bean weevils from your vegetable plants | Problem solving | How to | BBC Gardeners' World

[Lorraine70]

This year I have put a layer of ash from my wood burner around my peas and beans and I've had no bother with nibbled leaves. Slugs don't like gritty surfaces so won't cross over it.