Bird pecking solution???

[MsCowpea]

I believe this really is helping. (click to enlarge)

Once I decided to let them dine to their little hearts content on tomatoes of my own choosing I really have noticed MUCH less pecking on the good ones.

This is a trash lid on top of cage about 6 feet off the ground--I put fresh ones up frequently (ones with worm hole, etc.) and they are definately being pecked on. Also put a few more out in various other places. (it's that or they are sick of tomatoes).

[bully]

Careful or you're gonna find Earl up there

[MsCowpea]

Naw, this is a democratic county in a 'red' state. We'd stop him at the county line! Of course, if he procurred an old 'Vote for Kerry' t-shirt he might sneak his way in. (Hi Earl--just kidding--come on down!)

[Rena]

Nice lookin plants! It looks so green and healthy!

[MsCowpea]

IMISSCOLO: don't know if you mean it or not but,

Funny you should say that--that was a black prince in a 15 gallon container. There were OVER 100 tomatoes (no foolin') on that plant (give or take 10) and I counted them twice.
Unfortunately they were just too bland. Got a few good ones but they deteriorated in flavor (weather? gardener?).

[shelleybean]

I have been growing tomatoes for twenty years, the last seven, on this property. Last year was the first year I had birds pecking at my tomatoes. Even thinking about it now makes my blood boil! I had one Wickline plant that was really disappointing and I stopped picking hoping the birds would attack that plant, but even they didn't want them! They liked all the same ones I did. I inflated plastic snakes, tied up pie plates, covered every fruit that was about to turn with a nylon stocking and nothing did any good. Did you just put a trash can lid on top of a Texas tomato cage or do I need glasses?

[moucheur]

I always plant some catnip in my tomato patch. It's like building a crack house for cats. Cats could care less about tomatoes, but birds and other varmints don't like to hang around near the neighborhood cats' party pad.

[MsCowpea]

Shellybean, yes, the lid is on top of a concrete wire cage. The wire cage is sitting on top of the container so that makes the whole thing about 6 feet off the ground. I put other tomatoes lower on concrete blocks. They all seem to be pecked on so that means less pecking on the ones I want.

Moucheur, I have SIX cats--actually glad they are not into catching birds but you would think that they would sit down by the garden and look menacing but noooo...

[Lee]

You could also try adding a bird bath (ie. a source of water).
From my expereince, that is what the birds are looking
for from the tomatoes.

Lee

[shelleybean]

I've also heard they peck the tomatoes to attract bugs so they can eat them.

[redwing]

I agree with Lee, I keep a bird bath in the vege garden and I have never had bird damaged tomatoes...yet...but you guys have me scared! We have a small garden pond in the yard as well, which I am sure would help. We re in the middle of over 3,000 acres of gamelands and preservation area so we have thousands of birds all year long. I also plant sunflowers just for them, maybe they just prefer the other things?

[melody]

I've never had a bird problem, but heard that if you hang red Christmas balls in your tomato plants before the real tomatoes ripen, that the birds will have given up before there's any ripe fruit.

I do have a terrapin problem though. Got a couple who live in my veggie patch. They seem to wait until I have the perfect tomato just about ready to pick, then take 1 triangular bite out of it. Of course, they can't reach very high and I figure that they're thirsty, so they are no real pest.

[jerseyjohn61]

I also believe moisture is the key to bird
damage. Last summer was very humid,
but oddly dry in my area. I also saw large
amounts of pecked toms for the first time.
Will set up a moisture station for those
feathered rascals this season as the damage
last was substantial....JJ61

[paxpuella]

We have more problems with squirrels in our area. The little guys come over and pick nice tomatoes and then eat a few bites out of them and go on to another. My mom got so frustrated that she finally quit planting vegetables outside. That and a neighbor would always come over and pick a nice pepper that my mom was waiting to ripen up just so. Then then neighbor would think my parents wouldn't want it and pick it.

[jerseyjohn61]

Yup Pax, some squirrelly creatures come
with hair instead of fur....JJ61