AboutElyse Grau Expertise I can answer most questions on vegetable and fruit growing, in particular those that pertain to the Northwest, Midwest and other cool areas of the country. I prefer to use only organic/natural methods and materials.
Experience I have Master Gardener training and have been gardening for over 25 years. I use organic and natural methods only. I live on 5 acres and have a large vegetable garden, as well as orchard, grapevines and berries.
I live in S. New Hampshire. Something is eating the leaves on my young yellow & green beans. (About 6" with 2-4 leaves). I see a few slugs and pick them off but the carnage continues. Otherwise i see nothing else on the bean plants, so i can't tell what's eating them. Is it the slugs? Do you know what might be eating the leaves and what i can do to control it? I prefer non-toxic methods. Thank you for taking my question, Phil
Answer Phil:
That is a common problem. It could be slugs, birds, wasps, cutworms, etc. You might try a hot pepper spray. I was going to do that myself this year, but never got around to it. The plants usually manage to survive, once they get a few leaves they seem to be OK.
Next year, cultivate the ground thoroughly before you plant the beans, looking for slugs and cutworm larvae. Then you can cover the plot with Remay or similar material to prevent other pests. It won't do much good now if the pests are in the soil.
