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Gardeners’ Forum: “Cut seedlings”

• Cut seedlings

  Posted by Joline Melanson on Sunday, March 2, 2008 11:07 am AST

  I have had a garden for over 6 years and each year I need to replant at least 3 times to get a crop. Everythings seems great I get sprouts from all my seeds and then the next day or two everything is cut. I dug around the soil where there is sometimes a stub left in but never to see anything. I supect worms? What can I do?

  • re: Cut seedlings

    Posted by otnorot on Friday, March 7, 2008 10:01 am AST

    You have cut worms and you will find them just under the soil and they are a gray colour.A piece of foil/aluminum wraped around the stem will stop them. Bill

  • re: Cut seedlings

    Posted by Joline on Monday, March 10, 2008 5:55 pm ADT

    Is there anything I can add to the soil to get rid of them? Like diatomaceous earth? Foil won't work on carotte seedlings or other small sprouts.

  • re: Cut seedlings

    Posted by Patricia Friesen on Friday, March 14, 2008 1:19 pm ADT

    Years ago I used to have trouble with cut worms. I used cutworm dust when planting the seeds. It worked as I have no cutworms. Also, if you go out early in the morning and dig around the plant just cut off, you often can find the cutworm and dispose of it.

  • re: Cut seedlings

    Posted by Aurela on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 10:40 am ADT

    We were told to try wood ashes and found it to be working on the cut worms. Just sprinkle around the plants or work it in the ground before planting. It won't hurt the soil.

  • re: Cut seedlings

    Posted by Ralph on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:25 pm ADT

    I cut the top and bottom off a 2 litre plastic pop bottle for the bigger plants and smaller bottles for smaller plants. Put the tube over the plant and into the ground 1-2 inches deep. Check with your finger to make sure you have no cutworms inside the enclosure.

  • re: Cut seedlings

    Posted by Denise on Sunday, May 11, 2008 2:20 pm ADT

    you can also insert a tooth pick (or chop stick) very close to the stem & tie it (not too tight though) so that the cut worm can't go around the stem & cut it also, not only wood ashes can work, but they are also a valuable source of potash - & will help keep off slugs & snails if left on the ground (they won't appreciate the irritation from ashes on their soft bellies)