bird problem

[tempestborn]

my poor green beans... for two springs now, they barely break ground and the birds come and eat the tender tops. i am left with little, green sticks poking out of the ground. this year i anticipated the problem and also started beans indoors. i have 36 little plants, but i'm unsure how big to require them to be before i plant them in the ground. suggestions?

 

[Chuck]

my poor green beans... for two springs now, they barely break ground and the birds come and eat the tender tops. i am left with little, green sticks poking out of the ground. this year i anticipated the problem and also started beans indoors. i have 36 little plants, but i'm unsure how big to require them to be before i plant them in the ground. suggestions?

At least one set of true leaves, better to have 2 sets but have you actually seen birds eating them? If you have then get some bird netting. I have problems with cut worms in my beans some years is the reason I asked.

 

[tempestborn]

i'm pretty sure it's birds; the sticks left are about an inch tall, so it's too high for a cutworm. also, i protect my sprouts with little cardboard collars. my sprouts are getting tertiary leaves now, so soon, i'd guess.

 

[Marck]

my poor green beans... for two springs now, they barely break ground and the birds come and eat the tender tops. i am left with little, green sticks poking out of the ground. this year i anticipated the problem and also started beans indoors. i have 36 little plants, but i'm unsure how big to require them to be before i plant them in the ground. suggestions?

Build or buy mesh cages to protect seedlings from birds and rodents. The cages can be pre-constructed wire bins, or something made from grid wire mesh or chicken-wire. Anything durable that lets in air, water, and light could potentially work.