I planted my first sweet corn this year and about two weeks ago a storm knocked over 5 of my stalks but only broke 1. So, I pole tied them and let them keep growing. This morning I went out to the garden and ALL my stalks were broken (about 3-4 feet from the ground) AND all of the corn and husks were gone or empty as well. Some of the husk strips and silks (definitely not all, some were missing) were lying on the ground but all but one of the cobs were completely gone. The one remaining cob had some of the husk on it but all the kernels were gone. What happened? Has anyone had this happen? Was it a animal or a more human threat?
2006-08-01 01:57:12 · 12 answers · asked by ella F 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I forgot to add that we have a 7 foot wooden privacy fence around our yard as well as a 4 foot wire fence around the garden.
2006-08-01 03:19:33 · update #1
I've gotten very good answers, but I guess my question ought to be "What happened and how can I stop it next year?" Also, my fence was not disturbed in any way and deer are just not a possibility where I live. Although there may have been animal tracks, I could not find any.
2006-08-03 03:07:44 · update #2
Look for tracks in the garden. My bet is Raccoons or Deer.
Oh, deer can and will jump a seven foot fence when frightened and fleeing or to get to something they really like to eat.
Suggestion: Put motion activated lights near the garden. When they come on at night, take a peak at what's out there.
2006-08-01 05:00:08 · answer #1 · answered by Carp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would bet on raccoons, squirrels are not night feeders generally. Neither of your fences would keep out a raccoon. You would see where a groundhog burrowed into the garden. Were there any tracks and are you familiar with the tracks left by wildlife in your area.
Could be deer but from your description of the damage it sounds more like the little masked bandits...
2006-08-02 17:39:10 · answer #2 · answered by CritterB 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you have the fence, I doubt it was deer. I suspect it could be a groundhog...fences don't keep them out. I planted a small fruit tree orchard and the groundhog stood up on its hind legs and real casually pulled down the branches (and broke them) and ate them! We trapped it with a trap but another one has taken its place. The are extremely destructive. One actually climbed up a couple of feet into a peach tree...didn't know they could do that! Shoot them with a bee bee gun or trap and release them somewhere far away. Good luck.
2006-08-01 14:32:25 · answer #3 · answered by Do it yourselfer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually Squirrels, sometimes also Deer.
2006-08-01 02:04:25 · answer #4 · answered by Marianna 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deer or raccoons would be my bet. Probably deer
2006-08-01 02:43:34 · answer #5 · answered by cin_ann_43 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Appears to be deer or human.
2006-08-01 02:03:06 · answer #6 · answered by expatmt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like someone is messing with your corn
2006-08-05 16:01:49 · answer #7 · answered by Chi_Indy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deer, racoon, opossum, or squirrel.
2006-08-01 03:18:47 · answer #8 · answered by prosopopoeia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Racoons are extremely smart. Catch my drift?
2006-08-03 15:36:16 · answer #9 · answered by FREAKYred 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
deer and rabbits.
2006-08-08 08:44:12 · answer #10 · answered by duc602 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋