Author Topic: What's eating my potatoes? (Read 3476 times)

HesterF · « **on:** August 29, 2013, 10:46:56 pm »

Just digging my main crops and they've got little holes in them - like tunnels through them. These are well buried so it's not slugs. Thought they'd be safe at this stage to leave in the ground and just dig them up as I need them but clearly not! But also can't store them if they're damaged so my plans are a bit mucked up. At least I've only a few plants left although the potatoes have gone so well this year (gets the husband's key seal of approval as 'better than Waitrose'), I'm hoping to go for more next year so it would be good to know the enemy - and how to beat it.

Thanks!

Hester

H

henchard · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2013, 07:57:04 am »

Wireworm?

oor wullie · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2013, 08:04:33 am »

I'm not an expert but it sounds like wireworm. If so there is no one solution.

They are worst in ground that was under grass recently so if possible grow tatties on ground that has been cleaned by growing something else for a couple of years.

They don't seem to attack until the end of the season so harvest tarries as soon as they are ready don't leave the tatties in the ground any longer than necessary.

HesterF · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2013, 12:45:29 pm »

Oooh, that sounds about right. We only deturfed to make veg beds last year. Problem is they're all the same age, advantage is they'll all be one year older for next season. I'll dig the rest of the crop now and hope they can last - they can join the onions on the kitchen floor for now!

H