Wireworm

[mhrfm]

I’m anxious because I came across a wireworm in our newly made veg patch, and it’s in the same bed as our potatoes.

I’ve read about potato and carrot traps, and nematodes.

Another advice?

[burnie]

Don't panic, I find the odd beastie in my garden, especially if I remove turf for a new patch, bugs seem to live in undisturbed ground under grass. What the birds don't eat the rest will scarper if you keep working the soil. I garden organically and don't have any infestations, I might get the odd little bit of damage, but as I don't grow for show, it isn't a problem for me.

[mhrfm]

Thanks Burnie. This is our first ever veg patch, so maybe I’m being a bit over sensitive - I’ve put in a few potato traps to see if there any more. So far, there’s been no sign.

[burnie]

We are waging a constant battle with nature, just keep things simple, practise crop rotation and look after the soil, let us know what your plans are and there's plenty of people to help you on here, what is your soil like, heavy clay or nice and light?

[mhrfm]

We are waging a constant battle with nature, just keep things simple, practise crop rotation and look after the soil, let us know what your plans are and there's plenty of people to help you on here, what is your soil like, heavy clay or nice and light?

The soil is nice and light.

We have eight beds and I’m planting in 50cm blocks utilizing a companion approach.

Still waiting for veg plugs from Marshalls that I paid for and ordered in March.

[Mark_Riga]

If your patch is newly cultivated grassland then wireworm could be a problem in potatoes. Earlies should not be too badly affected but if you have maincrop planted they could be a problem. Most crops that are relatively unaffected: courgettes, beans, peas, cabbage tribe and fruit but root crops including potatoes can be badly damages for 2 or 3 years I found. Onions and leeks only minor damage. I didn't try nematodes.

[mhrfm]

If your patch is newly cultivated grassland then wireworm could be a problem in potatoes. Earlies should not be too badly affected but if you have maincrop planted they could be a problem. Most crops that are relatively unaffected: courgettes, beans, peas, cabbage tribe and fruit but root crops including potatoes can be badly damages for 2 or 3 years I found. Onions and leeks only minor damage. I didn't try nematodes.

This is my biggest fear. I’m dreading these guys!

[Mark_Riga]

I converted a bit of grassland to a veg plot and grew mainly peas, beans, squash, onions and such stuff for the first couple of years. I did plant a patch of potatoes when I extended it a bit being completely unaware of wireworms at that point. But when I harvested them I quickly read up on them. That was probably about 8 years ago and now I can grow anything there. After 2 years there was still a little damage but not a problem then compared to slugs.