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Webster, NY

I went out this evening ( I didn't look this morning, too busy ) and there was major damage to the leaves of my pumpkins. All the leaves on the sunflowers had also been eaten off leaving just the stalks. Do rabbits attack pumpkin leaves? I know deer do, but my yard is fenced in and there are no deer tracks in the patch. If rabbits, what can I do to protect the plants and will they grow all right now?

Thanks
Dave

6/16/2005 9:05:41 PM

Hayes, Virginia

I use Rabbit guard fence bury about 4in in the ground.
plus i use garlic hot pepper spray on the plants.
after i make my spray the small pieces of garlic thats
left over i use around the fence.hopes this helps
Growem BIG.

Ed

6/16/2005 9:14:41 PM

Rockford,il

Rabbits in my patch have a search and destroy mentality when it comes to sunflowers.Thankfully they leave my pumpkins alone .To protect the sunflowers I have to use 24 inch tall chicken wire.I cut off a piece ,make a tube shape out of it (about 6 inch diameter),bury the bottom 3 inches of it and let the plant grow through it .Once it grows above the chicken wire it is to high up for the rabbits to eat.

6/16/2005 9:27:34 PM

Johnston, R.I.

sounds like a woodchuck

6/16/2005 9:49:46 PM

Webster, NY

Initially the leaves of the pumpkins were dusted with seven and only the sunflowers were eaten. It rained overnight and tonight the pumpkins were touched. Maybe they didn't like the taste of seven?????

Dave

6/16/2005 9:57:37 PM

Montoursville, PA

I have observed rabbits, by free choice eating weeds below the canopy. I can stand a rabbit or two. A dozen is unaceptable because they do eat other greenery we choose to grow.

Nightime visits are rarely if ever ground hogs. Think coon or deer in the Northeast. I have not heard, of ground hogs becoming night creatures due, to daytime activity that would disturb them. They tame easily and seem to fear nothing but the crack, of a gun and the use, of gas bombs, in the holes used after darkness sets in, to assure that they are home, for the smoke party.

6/17/2005 9:54:48 AM

Webster, NY

I don't think it's deer, I would have seen the footprints. It might be groundhogs during the day and I just have not seen them. Maybe they are showing up while I am at work (sneaky devils). I think the plants will be all right if I can keep them from doing more damage.
Thanks for all the information and advice everyone.

6/17/2005 12:27:22 PM

Webster, NY

My neighbor saw the perpetrator, it was a big old woodchuck. I spread dried blood around the plants and some kind of critter repellent (woodchuck begone or something). Hopefully that will keep them away. Does anyone know if the plants will grow all right? A picture of the damage can be seen here:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=35691

Thanks
Dave

6/18/2005 6:59:22 AM

Butler, Ohio

Dave, sounds like it's time to break out the .22 and wait on the little s.o.b.

6/18/2005 2:35:44 PM

Webster, NY

I saw him out in the yard yesterday. My wife said I looked like a crazy farmer chasing him with a shovel. At least he got an idea I wasn't happy with him.

Dave

6/19/2005 9:51:36 AM

Canada

Last year I had problems with animals eatting my fruits
off as the flowers were about to open, I bought some critter ridder and never had a problem again, Ive been useing this stuff on a bi weekly basis since my plants have went into the ground, I dont put the stuff near the plants but around the entire area of the patch.

Dave

6/19/2005 9:41:22 PM

Webster, NY

Thanks Dave. I spread dried blood around the plants and then put critter ridder around that. So far I have not seen any more damage. I just hope the plants recover. Good luck everyone...

Dave

6/20/2005 6:47:52 PM