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All garden plants of any age can suffer from pests, diseases or other problems and seeds and seedlings are no exception.

Bean Seed Fly - In recent years poor germination of beans, and sometimes peas, has become an increasing problem and samples returned by customers have shown that this fly is very often responsible. The larvae of this pest, which are small white maggots, attack the growing point and seed leaves of the bean as it attempts to germinate. If these attacks don't kill the bean then fungal rots which follow them often do and, in many cases, the seedlings don't emerge from the ground. Problems of this kind are most likely when beans are struggling to germinate in cold soil and are much less often seen when they are sown under glass or if sowing outside is delayed until a spell of warm weather has thoroughly warmed the ground. Attacks can also be prevented by a dressing of soil insecticide raked in before sowing.

Birds - Certain birds can be very damaging to some seedlings, particularly brassicas. Where they are troublesome, covering rows or beds with a fine mesh net raised a few inches off the ground will give good protection.

Cats and Dogs - Freshly made seedbeds are extremely attractive to these pets, particularly cats. Commonly their excavations will bury some seeds too deeply, expose others on the surface where they dry out and move still others to where they are not wanted. Young seedlings can be similarly buried or uprooted and the overall result can be large gaps and seedlings appearing all over the place rather than in the intended rows. Various repellent chemicals and devices are widely sold but, in our opinion, the best method of preventing this kind of damage is to cover beds or rows with netting or chicken wire. Covering with cloches or fleece has a similar effect.

Cutworms - These are not worms but the caterpillars of certain moths which live in the surface layers of the soil and eat through the stems of seedlings at soil level. If they work their way along a row they can cause considerable damage. They are usually only a problem in the garden where control can be achieved by dusting drills with a soil insecticide when sowing. Where use of chemicals is not desired or if damage still occurs, a careful search of the soil near the damaged plants will often reveal the culprit.

Mice - These rodents are also very partial to pea and bean seeds and can quickly clear out a whole row, again making it appear as if germination has failed. Where mice are known to be troublesome an old remedy is to dip pea seeds in paraffin before sowing, while beans can be raised under glass. Alternatively, careful baiting or trapping may need to be considered.

Slugs and Snails - These pests love the soft, juicy seedlings of many plants and will seek them out. A whole row of newly germinated cabbages or pot full of young lettuce can mysteriously disappear overnight if a large snail finds them. Problems are most acute in the garden but slugs, in particular, also enjoy conditions in the greenhouse and can cause much damage there too. Various chemical baits and poisons are widely available but must be used with care as some are toxic to pets and other animals. Traps, such as those containing diluted beer and set slightly above soil level, will drown or collect many slugs which can be subsequently disposed of. In the greenhouse, good hygiene, particularly measures which reduce places where they can hide during the day, will usually keep them under control.

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