How do I keep my seedlings from getting eaten or dying?
Question:I am trying to grow basic herbs and veggies like basil, parsley, radishes, and mint from seed. I live in an apartment and they are growing in pots on my back patio. I am very careful to monitor the moisture in the soil and I water them daily because of the heat. Once they start to grow, I have noticed something has been eating them (I think its caterpillers), and once that happens, they shrivel up and die within a few days. How can I save my "garden"?
Answers:
To keep slugs and snails away you can use saw dust or something similar that sticks to the slugs when they cross on it. For others such as caterpillars, ants you may use a wire mesh fixed with poles to surround your patio and you may also use a mild insecticide on the 'fencing'. if you choose to cover your plants with plastic take care to avoid excessive accumulation of moisture that may harm the seedlings.
Buy some clear or white netting and stick some sticks in your pots, high enough so the netting doesn't touch the seedlings and cover them. This will stop any little hungry critter from eating your seedlings. Cheers and good luck.
Try covering the pots with plastic wrap until the seeds germinate. This will also keep the moisture in providing a more even moistness throughout the day.Think of it as a mini greenhouse.
I use plastic bottles with the bottom cur off to act as a glass house and use wet rags as sunshades.
If it isn't caterpillars it may be slugs or snails, so get some snail killer.
beer is supposed to get them drunk and drown. I think that works.
More Related Questions & Answers...