[RJR_38]

When I was at the plot on Saturday my corn were doing amazingly well and I got a couple of compliments from other plot holders. Tonight I went down to do some watering and found this:





Any ideas what it could be and what I could do to ensure my other 9 are kept safe?

[angelavdavis]

It's badgers!  They love sweetcorn.  Never hesitate on harvesting them as they will have the lot before your next visit! 

I found my crop part eaten with chewed down plants as you have shown and discarded cobs littering my plot one year.  I now barracade my bed in when the cobs start setting.  You need something pretty heavy duty as they are tough critters to stop.  I have some heavy duty steel woven fencing that I have managed to get hold of to help. 

[RJR_38]

Ooh, ok that's interesting... And a pain! I knew we got attacked by pigeons, moles and occasionally deer but badgers have not been mentioned. I'm not sure how I can barricade them in now because if where they are. How do you protect yours?

[RJR_38]

Does anybody else have to protect themselves from badgers? Wht do you use/do?

[angelavdavis]

I have some heavy duty wire fencing (agricultural I think) which I am intending on part burying to build a wire fence around the bed that is planted.  Chicken wire is apparently pretty useless with their sharp teeth and they also climb and dig!  So, I guess it will be a case of trial and error.

There is a discussion here that mentions about their methods for protecting the crops:

http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/united-kingdom/187277-badgers-eat-sweetcorn.html

This discussion mentions using male urine to deter badgers:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/allotment-advice/badgers-our-allotments_9408.html