re: pitting in soil

rhythmvick · « **on:** April 16, 2010, 13:05 »

Any advice would be gratefully received:

I've noticed some pitting on the surface of the soil where my shallots are planted, my nasturtium pots and where my kale and swiss chard are. The shallots are all still there, which makes me think it's not birds otherwise I'm sure they would have ripped them out. The pits are about 4/5cm big and about 1cm wide.

Any ideas?

:blink:

Trillium · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2010, 13:43 »

Could it be other birds after worms or bugs?

8doubles · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2010, 14:07 »

I have seen the sort of holes you describe being dug by large snails to lay their eggs.

Have a dig down and you may find a cluster of whitish eggs.

Have no mercy, stomp on sight.

rhythmvick · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2010, 14:11 »

Wouldn't all birds pull up the shallots?

If I have a root around in the soil won't I disturb the seeds (none have come up yet - I only put them in last week).

Question upon question - sorry!

8doubles · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2010, 15:36 »

If you have a dig with a teaspoon (go down 100 mm as the snails do get down a long way) you will not cause too much disturbance to the seeds.
If you find eggs you either dig all the pits out or drop a few slug pellets down to kill the little darlings when they hatch.

rhythmvick · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2010, 15:30 »

Thanks everyone for the advice!! I was away for the weekend so couldn't tackle it, but will investigate this evening!!

Trikidiki · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2010, 23:13 »

Could be lug worms. They leave a largish hole, usually slightly mounded like a volcano (can we mention them).

If it is they won't do any major damage. They may occasionally pull a growing leaf into the hole but mainly feed on dead organic matter.

8doubles · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2010, 07:40 »

Quote from: Trikidiki on April 19, 2010, 23:13

Could be lug worms. They leave a largish hole, usually slightly mounded like a volcano (can we mention them).

If it is they won't do any major damage. They may occasionally pull a growing leaf into the hole but mainly feed on dead organic matter.

I think you mean lob-worm as lug worm like it sandier and saltier .

MOLUSC · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2010, 21:24 »

More than likely just a blackbird they tend to flick soil/compost looking for worms etc or may be a badger.

Trikidiki · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2010, 22:27 »

Quote from: 8doubles on April 20, 2010, 07:40

Quote from: Trikidiki on April 19, 2010, 23:13
Could be lug worms. They leave a largish hole, usually slightly mounded like a volcano (can we mention them).

If it is they won't do any major damage. They may occasionally pull a growing leaf into the hole but mainly feed on dead organic matter.

I think you mean lob-worm as lug worm like it sandier and saltier .

Very true. Mixing the fishing with the gardening.

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re: pitting in soil

rhythmvick

re: pitting in soil

Trillium

Re: re: pitting in soil

8doubles

Re: re: pitting in soil

rhythmvick

Re: re: pitting in soil

8doubles

Re: re: pitting in soil

rhythmvick

Re: re: pitting in soil

Trikidiki

Re: re: pitting in soil

8doubles

Re: re: pitting in soil

MOLUSC

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Trikidiki

Re: re: pitting in soil

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