Corn sprouted. Today, about half the plants were missing, and a hole was left.
What was it?
Squirrels, voles, heck even crows will take them…
Between that and the possums and raccoons I just buy corn
Good luck, though
Scott
Sandhill cranes love young corn plants
Around here, it’s usually crows.
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Some plants seem to still have the growing point left, which takes probable losses down to 20%.
So here’s a question. I usually “overseed” (sow more than needed) corn, esp. in cooler soils early in the season. I then thin to the best plants. Since I lost a few plants to crows, if I have two plants very close (1” or so), can I leave them that close as long as the total amount of plants per square foot is acceptable? If you want say 10” spacing, and over a 40” stretch I do have four plants, but I have two an inch apart, then a 20” gap, will that work out OK?
Ive seen squirrels dig up new seedlings to eat the kernels.
I planted another batch and again lost about thirty percent to this critter.
I haven’t yet figured out what it is. There are no holes suggesting voles or anything that’s burrowing under the ground. I do have a fence around the garden to keep out deer and rabbits, and there are no gaps underneath that anything could’ve gotten through as far as I can tell. Plus, my beans and peas are left alone, and in my experience rabbits prefer those to corn. So I’m guessing crow, squirrel, or chipmunk.
I do have a fence around the garden to keep out deer and rabbits, and there are no gaps underneath that anything could’ve gotten through as far as I can tell. Plus, my beans and peas are left alone, and in my experience rabbits prefer those to corn. So I’m guessing crow, squirrel, or chipmunk.
I’m doing succession plan things, so for the next one I might make it a portable fence to stick over the seedlings, until they reach a size where they’ll be left alone. It seems like once they about 3 inches tall, they aren’t bothered anymore.
My main question is what will be most effective? I have 2 x 4 welded wire fencing, which would probably keep a bird out, but may not keep out a rodent.
There are holes right around the missing plants, so it looks like they’re digging for the kernel, not the plant itself. In fact, I’ve seen the broken off little corn stalks here and there.
Put a trail cam on the garden to find out what you’re dealing with
