Beetroot tops eaten (boltardy)

by darryl waller
(scotland)

Hi There
I have grown beetroot (boltardy) for over 40 years and never had a problem this year I have enclosed my veg plot concrete base and breeze blocks cemented all round and small chicken mesh fitted but some thing has eaten the top part of the bulbs not the leaves that were exposed but not the ones that were covered with soil I thought maybe a mole but no mole hill in the plot could it be a mouse but nothing has ever eaten my beetroot before even without the enclosure maybe you might know I live in fife Scotland weather has been good south facing growmore feeding and chicken manure pellets. thank you.
darryl

Comments for Beetroot tops eaten (boltardy)

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Aug 19, 2014
What's eating my beetroot
by: ~ Megan

Squeak... looks like little mice teeth to me. Can you see any mice droppings nearby, or naughty mice with pink mouths?

If the mice are innocent, next bet is slugs... any pink slugs hiding under nearby old leaves?

Feb 12, 2015
Gnawed beetroot
by: Sheana

We, too, have grown gnaw-free beetroot for years, but, like you, have had exactly the same experience this year, along with an explosion of mole activity. I think it is the mice that were responsible. Fingers crossed for this year's harvest...there's aye something, if you are a gardener. The year before, it was badgers, but we have got that one sorted.

Aug 16, 2017
slugs
by: Anonymous

with the addition of concrete it seems likely that you have a slug problem. Have a good look around all the plants just after sunset. pluck em off and salt em! i use a line of kitchen salt all around the back of my planters. I havent had a problem since.. make sure the grass if any all around is kept very short with nowhere for them to hide like old pots or stuff lying on the surface.

Aug 16, 2017
Slugs innit!
by: Sheana

This year for us it is definitely slugs.

Aug 16, 2017
Slugs
by: Sheana

Hi Darryl, we are in the Scottish Borders, so not far away. As I said above, I'm pretty sure it is slugs this time. Our slug population has exploded in the raised beds this year and I have actually found some nestling very comfortably against the bits they have chewed. Mine look just like yours!

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