How to Protect Young Plants from Cutworm Damage

You’ve nurtured your seedlings from the tiniest sprout, only to find them mysteriously toppled overnight, snapped clean at the base like someone took scissors to them. Sound familiar? That’s the calling card of the cutworm. These sneaky soil-dwelling larvae are among the most frustrating early-season pests, but don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of effective, chemical-free ways to protect young plants from cutworm damage and keep your garden thriving.

Understand the Cutworm Culprit

Cutworms aren’t actually worms, they’re the larvae of moths that lay their eggs in soil or on plant debris. After hatching, the grubs hide in the soil by day and come out at night to chew through young plant stems right at soil level.

We’ve found they’re most active in early spring and late summer, especially in freshly turned or grassy soil.

Collars Are Game-Changers

One of the most effective and low-effort ways to stop cutworms is by using homemade collars around the base of each young plant. These can be made from loo rolls, cardboard strips, or even cut-up yoghurt pots. Just sink them an inch into the soil and leave two inches above the surface.

These little collars act like armour, stopping cutworms from reaching the tender stem.

Clear the Way Before You Plant

Cutworms love hiding in weeds, mulch, and plant debris, especially in areas that were grassy before being turned into beds. Before planting, we clear the ground thoroughly, remove any surface weeds, and let the soil rest bare for a few days to expose larvae to birds.

It’s a simple prep step that makes a big difference.

Dig and Patrol

When we’re planting out, we keep an eye out for curled-up cutworms in the soil. They’re usually greyish or brownish and curl into a C-shape when disturbed. We pluck them out and feed them to the birds (or pop them into a jar if we’re collecting a crowd).

A few extra minutes spent digging around can save a whole row of seedlings.

Encourage Natural Predators

Cutworms may be sneaky, but they’ve got plenty of enemies. Birds, beetles, frogs, and even hedgehogs love to snack on them. We make our garden inviting for these natural allies by avoiding chemical pesticides and offering cover like log piles, water dishes, and wildflower corners.

A balanced garden is a pest-resistant garden.

Time Your Transplants Right

Younger seedlings are more vulnerable, so if you’ve had cutworm problems in a bed before, wait an extra week or two to transplant until the stems have thickened slightly. We’ve found slightly older, sturdier transplants are better able to withstand a bit of nibbling or escape damage altogether.

Use Coffee Grounds or Grit

We sometimes sprinkle coffee grounds, sharp grit, or crushed eggshells around seedlings. It’s not a perfect barrier, but it makes the soil surface less hospitable to crawling pests like cutworms and slugs. Plus, it helps deter other soft-bodied invaders too.

Cutworms may be quiet, but they can wreak havoc if left unchecked. By combining simple physical barriers, careful soil prep, and a bit of nighttime vigilance, we can protect our young plants from cutworm damage and give them the best start in life.