Newbie with a few queries re pests!!

[vixfinn]

Hello all, I am extremely pleased with myself for managing to germinate and plant out my veg with my newly discovered "green fingers"!! Everything, peas, beans, beetroot etc have been planted in an array of pots, planters and carrier bags (those brightly coloured bag for life ones from the supermarkets). My worry is, I may inadvertantly attract leaf munching, flying critters to my crop via my toddler pleasing containers and fairy lit bean poles!! Should I dull it down a tad before my hard work attracts the local moth and butterfly population?

[Two_Sheds]

The only butterflies you need worry about are Cabbage Whites, and the only moths (that I can think of) cabbage moth, pea moth and leek moth

If you suffer from any of these, you need to keep your crops under net.

However, I should think you'll be largely OK in the back garden: esp. your beans & beetroot

[Paulottie]

Welcome to the vine

I imagine it is a bit cold outside for beans yet....hate cold wind...probably go yellow re pests...(snails like them)...then of course there are the blackfly

Quite early for pea moth probs yet..later crops tend to get maggoty....depends when they are flowering....birds will have the seedlings and mice the pea seeds...then there are the pea/bean weevils (notches in leaf edges) but then they don't usually prove fatal.

Beetroot might get grazed by slugs...not often birds.

Don't worry about the very attractive sounding planting...I suspect the pests will find you crops without your help...(that's what the do for a living)
Don't fret though they'll probably leave you a bit if you grow enough!

Well done with the germination though....it's all fun!... and a learning curve slowly you'll learn to outwit the pesky critters.

[vixfinn]

Thanks both, the children love the garishness of our little space so didn't want to lose it all. Wasn't aware the beans could go yellow though!!! I will keep my fingers crossed that being this far south and in a fairly sheltered garden they will be O.K.

[northepaul]

You could also try companion planting too, which your toddlers will love. You could grow some flowers to attract bees (such as poached eggs and sunflowers) and mix some marigolds around toms and (apparently) summer savoury with beans. I have some spare summer savoury, a few marigold and a few poached egg seeds if you need some, PM me

[vixfinn]

How lovely! I will PM you with my details, the kids would love some flowers and if it's useful so much the better, thankyou!

[Suky]

My worry is, I may inadvertantly attract leaf munching, flying critters to my crop via my toddler pleasing containers and fairy lit bean poles!!

Welcome to the vine. Moths mostly will help to pollinate, nasties come with or without lights and bright colours. I love the idea of fairy lights on bean poles, will suggest my daughter puts some in her tomato hanging basket
ETA: if there is frost forcast you can protect your beans etc. with old net curtain (try charity shop, cheap) or even newspaper spread over. When I had mini apple trees in bloom they got draped in tablecloths if frost was forcast, looked like a garden full of dwarf ghosts :0

[vixfinn]

Thanks for the tips. Will definitely give the net curtains a go!