Beta Vulgaris 'Boltardy'

Hi folks, my poor beets are being attacked by something but it's as close as I have to #foliagefriday after a day of almost nonstop rain

Morning Jeremy, mine are the same and my chard. I found the sparrows were eating them. I’ve netted them now 👍

Mine are like that this year. But the chard that is growing right next to it is fine. @pelly

Strange, the chard is outside the kitchen window and I watched them having a right old feast on it, then they'd have their dessert on the beetroot!!! Little b*****s 😱 @charlotte

Morning Jane 👋 mine are cousins of yours because both the chard and beetroot of mine were attacked like that but also with big patches of brown ???

Been googling it. Wonder if it's beat leaf miner ? Some sort of bug that attacks beetroot and chard @pelly @jpea

Afternoon Jeremy, it looks like Charlotte @charlotte has the answer. I’ve had a good look at mine and I’m sure you are right Charlotte. I definitely know the sparrows have been eating them but they couldn’t do that amount of damage. I need to do some more reading! 🤬

https://verticalveg.org.uk/blotches-on-your-beetroot-or-chard/ I found this article Jeremy @charlotte

Thanks Jane. Really interesting read. So will destroy the infected leaves and look out for fresh bugs. Good to know you can still eat them @pelly

Maybe the sparrows were eating the bugs 🤔 @pelly

BEETROOT - Until a few years ago, beetroot was a trouble-free crop. Then the local sparrow population discovered that the leaves were a super source of water and nourishment. ... Now, any emerging row of beetroot seedlings will have them fluttering down to nip off every leaf at ground level.ashfordallotmentsorguk.weebly.com › ...bird damage how to prevent it - Ashford @charlotte found this too

You're welcome. I'm going to do the same 👍 @charlotte