AAAhhhhhhhhh Disaster with my Spuds

[johninblackpool]

Hi Folks

Just had a disaster
I have been wondering why over the last week or so why i am not getting all my spuds showing yet on my allotment (Charlotte 2nd Earlies, Desiree Maincrop & King Edwards, Maincrop)

Was it the Weather
Was it Mice
Was it Rats
Was it Pigeons

So yesterday i had a rummage round and found out of a total of 100 seed potatoes only about 20 remain

Went home scratching my head

Today i have just been to the allotment and guess what i found having a right good nosh on my spuds

2 PHEASANTS AAAAhhhhhhh

worst thing is they flew off with me spuds so that must be why i can't find them

Is it worth putting more in and netting them or have i missed the Boat, so to speak

[eirish]

Pheasant for dinner?

[johninblackpool]

Have you ever tried to catch one I did it wasn't easy....They have wings..lol

Other than an Girgun any suggestion anybody

[Potstubsdustbins]

Don't let any one catch you shooting/taking pheasants for a start, you need a game licence.

I would net what you have left and maybe plant some more second earlies they should be ready in about 16 weeks.

Colin

[Nicos]

We ( ie OH) only put ours in a couple of weeks ago. Nope- it's not too late!
Just make sure you give them plenty of water as the spuds are developing and you'd be non the wiser!

[Capsid]

I'm confused. Did the pheasants dig your spuds up? Mine are planted at least 6" deep so that's a lot of dirt to shift for a pheasant.

[veggiechicken]

I planted my spuds this afternoon

[BarleySugar]

Another plotholder was putting hers in today. It's the first time for ages that her plot hasn't been under water. We planted late last year as the site was new and we'd only just been able to get on. We got a good crop (well except for the wireworm ). Blight might be more of a problem I suppose, but if you've got the ground and the spuds ready I'd say go for it.

[Piggle]

i planted my pheasants

[roitelet]

We had phesants which attacked a crop of spuds that were ready for digging up. They scratched down to the tubers and ate the top half in the ground and left the rest in the ground. Went down one day and 5!!!!!!flew away. NET THEM.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Pheasants love corn but there ain't much of that about at the moment. They also possess a set of large claws which are more than capable of digging.

Colin

[eirish]

Cheeky comments aside, this is useful to know. We have quite a few pheasants about. I'm not growing tatties or corn, but I should really get that fence fixed up (in case they also have a taste for peas).

Some years ago, I was growing flowers in pots on my balcony. I came home one evening to find all my smaller plants chewed off at the base and a few pots knocked off the balcony. A grey squirrel had chomped them up then used them to build a nest in one of my big pots. Cheeky little b****r was all snuggled in, looking up at me innocently. I was severely tempted by squirrel pie for supper despite being vegetarian at the time!

[johninblackpool]

We ( ie OH) only put ours in a couple of weeks ago. Nope- it's not too late!
Just make sure you give them plenty of water as the spuds are developing and you'd be non the wiser!

Hi Nicos

I don't know what the weather is like in france but over here in Blackpool i certainly won't need to water much....lol

[johninblackpool]

I'm confused. Did the pheasants dig your spuds up? Mine are planted at least 6" deep so that's a lot of dirt to shift for a pheasant.

Hi Capsid

The pheasents seem to eat the tops then claw their way down then start on the spuds themselves ...This time i saw them fly off with the spuds in their beaks

[johninblackpool]

Thanks for the replies

I will go and get more seed potatoes (If there are any left) and get them in this weekend

Cheers Folks