Planted them a few weeks ago in a raised bed about 40cm off ground in a city garden. Over the last week they have disappeared. I noticed a few plants had been reduced to stalks a couple of days ago, but now all of them are completely gone. No sign of snails or slugs. There are birds, and the occasional possum in the area. Thoughts?
maclad,
Feb 8, 4:59pm
It could be any of them. Likely to be birds, they love fresh young veges, unlike my grandies.
lythande1,
Feb 8, 6:48pm
Slugs and snails most likely.
cameron-albany,
Feb 9, 9:56am
you could try putting a light netting over them. If it's birds, that should work. Slugs and snails can also destroy thing pretty much overnight if the plants are young so maybe get some slug pellets (EDT ; there's often no obvious sign of slugs/snails. ) You don't have any neighbours with free-range rabbits do you? They'll destroy everything with one mouthful!
wheelz,
Feb 9, 6:36pm
Hmmm earwigs also love silver beet. Scrunch up newspaper into balls and place in ( if plants big enough) of close to plants, in the morning collect up balls and shake into a plastic bag. you'll be surprised how many there will be!
wasgonna,
Feb 10, 8:13am
wheelz is on to it. Surprising what earwigs will eat but silverbeet seems to be a favourite.
lyingnun,
Feb 10, 9:01am
My silverbeet was full of holes and on investigation, I found these unusual looking ,small beetle things on the back - never seen them before. They ruined the lot.
rainrain1,
Feb 10, 11:33am
One year the birds ate all mine, but my silverbeet is amazing this year, you can almost see it grow, and the mushrooms, never seen so many in all my life, only picking the best, there are thousands of them, and they are everywhere .
articferrit,
Dec 27, 5:06pm
Sparrows ate all my silverbeet, they dont seem to go for the coloured silverbeet as much.
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