Tomato plant stems being eaten off at ground!

[cubbybear17]

This has happened to me several years in a row. I've tried planting in the ground, then in pots, then putting netting around the plant in the pot, planting marigolds around the tomato, etc, and invariably something will gnaw the plant to the ground. Any suggestions on how to get this to stop? This year I'm trying the Topsy Turvy and not having much luck.

[Marlingardener]

Your problem may be cutworms. They nip the stem off at ground level or just a bit above. I prevent them by putting a circle of cardboard (in a previous life, the core of a toilet paper roll) about 1 1/2" high around the stem when I plant.
Each TP core makes about three circles. Cut the core from end to end, then divide it into three parts. When you place the circles around the stems, make sure that the ends of the circle overlap so the worms can't get through. I also settle them into the ground firmly about 1/4".

[cubbybear17]

Thanks! I will try this!

[garden5]

I've herd that they use aluminum foil on squash for vine borers.....why not for cutworms?

[TZ -OH6]

Lots of things can be used for cutworms: toilet paper/paper towel rolls, aluminum from turkey roasting pans and pie pans, cut off water/soda bottles etc. The larger soda bottles keep chipmonks and rabbits away from seedlings.

I got this from a reliable source but am skeptical... place a small stick, nail or soda straw in the ground next to the stem. Supposedly the worm needs to wrap all the way around the stem in order to feed, and that stops them for some reason.

I think you can also pour corn meal on the ground and they eat that and die (terminal constipation?), but you might want to look that one up.

[garden5]

Lots of things can be used for cutworms: toilet paper/paper towel rolls, aluminum from turkey roasting pans and pie pans, cut off water/soda bottles etc. The larger soda bottles keep chipmonks and rabbits away from seedlings.

I got this from a reliable source but am skeptical... place a small stick, nail or soda straw in the ground next to the stem. Supposedly the worm needs to wrap all the way around the stem in order to feed, and that stops them for some reason.

I think you can also pour corn meal on the ground and they eat that and die (terminal constipation?), but you might want to look that one up.

The nail thing does sound a little "old wive's tale"-ish, but I'll have to research it.

Cornmeal will work, though: they love to eat it, but cant digest it.

[cubbybear17]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!