I've planted spaghetti squash seeds three times, with two seeds in each of three containers. Just when they sprout, they completely disappear! Interestingly, I've got pumpkins growing in two adjacent containers with no issues at all. Does anyone know what kind of pest might be causing this and how I can prevent it?
3 Answers
Definitely check if something is cutting the stems at the soil line. I've dealt with cutworms in my garden this year. And remember, squirrels and birds like starlings can pull up young plants too, so you might need to net or cage your seedlings for protection.
If you have a dollar store nearby, grab some cheap wire trash cans and place them upside down over your sprouts. Weigh them down with bricks to keep the squirrels out. It works like a charm! I also found that slugs can be an issue in some areas, so keep an eye out for those too.
It sounds like squirrels could be your main culprits. They love to dig up new sprouts! You might want to try covering your seedlings with something to deter them.