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Runner Beans

Andrew KennethAndrew Kenneth Posts: 272
in Problem solving

Hi,

I planted my runner beans on Monday this week and by Wednesday the leaves had been eaten.

What has caused this?

Any help appreciated....

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Posts

  • lazy gardenerlazy gardener Posts: 317

    Cant see the pictures-but 100% guarantee it is slugs or snails-did you do anything to deter?

  • Andrew KennethAndrew Kenneth Posts: 272

    Not really.

    I did put a leaf mulch around the base of each plant. It's possible there are slugs or snails in there.

    I shall remove it tomorrow and inspect.

  • lazy gardenerlazy gardener Posts: 317

    They hide in the day-go out tonight after dark with a torch you will see them.

    It is always slugs or snails if freshly planted things get nibbled-seldom anything else-better safe than sorryimage

     

  • bigolobbigolob Posts: 127

    We have grown our Runners this year from seed in the GH and will be planting them out this weekend surrounded by a "thick mulch" of Slug Pellets!! The plants are in 4 inch pots are about 5 inches high (sorry about the Old English measurments but I do not DO the European rubbish!)

    Good luck.

  • lazy gardenerlazy gardener Posts: 317

    Can see the pics now-that is typical slug damageimage

  • lazy gardenerlazy gardener Posts: 317
    bigolob wrote (see)

    We have grown our Runners this year from seed in the GH and will be planting them out this weekend surrounded by a "thick mulch" of Slug Pellets!! The plants are in 4 inch pots are about 5 inches high (sorry about the Old English measurments but I do not DO the European rubbish!)

    Good luck.

    You do not need a "thick mulch" of pellets-just a few scattered about.

  • Andrew KennethAndrew Kenneth Posts: 272
    lazy gardener wrote (see)

    Can see the pics now-that is typical slug damageimage

    If I sprinkle some salt over the area of the beans would that help, would it harm the bean plant?

  • lazy gardenerlazy gardener Posts: 317
    Andrew Kenneth wrote (see)
    lazy gardener wrote (see)

    Can see the pics now-that is typical slug damageimage

    If I sprinkle some salt over the area of the beans would that help, would it harm the bean plant?

    Do not sprinkle salt on the garden-get yourself some pellets or go out tonight and pick them off and dispose.

    But not JUST tonight.

  • Andrew KennethAndrew Kenneth Posts: 272

    I can't get to the plot in the evening and especially after dark as it's on private land and, the owners lock up.

    I didn't really want to use slug pellets as I try to be organic.

    Does salt harm the soil?

    What about if I stripped some copper wire and formed a circle around the plants, (I know with this method you have to make sure there are no snails or slugs inside the ring when put down.

    Does the copper wire option work?

  • lazy gardenerlazy gardener Posts: 317

    You can get organic slug pellets-or try beer traps-but you are going to need something

    Salt harms the soil

    Some slugs are in the soil- a barrier wont necessarily work-would not bother to be honest.

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