[arugula]

Whilst home at lunchtime, we noticed that main fruit on pumpkin plant number one had had its flower nibbled off and distinct teeth marks around the top. We have seen a rabbit in the garden a few times over the past day or so, but not in the veg patch. Also, if it went in the veg patch, there would surely be tastier leaves and such like, to scoff. We're thinking probably mice? If so, why haven't they gone for the courgettes?

I don't expect my outdoor-grown pumpkin to win any prizes, but I would like to see what it can do before it gets chomped.

How do people here defend their pumpkin fruit from attack?

[Trillium]

Never heard of mice or rabbits bothering with pumpkins. As you say, lots of other tastier things for them, like tomatoes    One trick you could try is to prop the fruit up onto some wood blocks so it's at lest 6" , preferably more, off the ground.

[arugula]

Thanks Trillium, the pumpkin is next to a wall so we intend to train it up there. Luckily our tomatoes are mainly inside , except for the ones in hanging baskets  .

[mobilekat]

Perhaps its a slightly daft rabbit?

Courgette flowers taste nice, so why wouldn't pumpkin flowers, and if its young its still learning!

[arugula]

Perhaps its a slightly daft rabbit?

Courgette flowers taste nice, so why wouldn't pumpkin flowers, and if its young its still learning!

Hi Mobilekat, I don't discount that but if you saw the security setup of our veg patch (anti-chicken etc), you would agree that a rabbit if it got in, would be unlikely to find its way out again.

   

[pigeonpie]

I'm sorry, it was me.  I got lost and hungry whilst exploring the wilds...
 

[shokkyy]

Do mice like French beans? I've noticed that some of my French beans have been bitten off halfway up the bean. Whatever it is, they never take the whole thing, just nip it in half, and they only take the beans that are close to the ground.

[Trillium]

Yes, mice do like French beans  And tomatoes, both green and ripe  And shoulders of carrots 

[shokkyy]

blimey, I'm surprised they can climb up a tomato stem. And hey, why would they bother when there's all those luvly French beans nice and close to the ground?

[arugula]

I'm sorry, it was me.  I got lost and hungry whilst exploring the wilds...
 

 

blimey, I'm surprised they can climb up a tomato stem. And hey, why would they bother when there's all those luvly French beans nice and close to the ground?

Sure they can climb more amazing things than a tomato stem. I'm waiting for them to climb the walls of the house and start on the hanging basket toms! 

 

[ember]

How big are the tooth marks? We had problems with squirells on a previous allotment. They dug up and chomped on the tatoes. Biiiiiiig teeth  M

[Trillium]

It's amazing at what heights mice can jump or climb. And squirrels are a definitely possibility, same with chipmunks if you have them in the UK. I have a resident chippy whose days are numbered if I can catch it 

[arugula]

How big are the tooth marks? We had problems with squirells on a previous allotment. They dug up and chomped on the tatoes. Biiiiiiig teeth  M

Not as big as squirrels'.  I can imagine they are a complete pest, but we don't have any just here as there are no trees!

[RichardA]

Hedgehogs
R

[arugula]

Hedgehogs
R

Hm, could be I suppose? Pity we only ever see them squished on the road though.