You transplant a row of healthy tomato or pepper seedlings in the evening, and the next morning you find them lying flat on the ground, cut off cleanly at the soil surface. This is the work of the cutworm, the fat, grey-brown caterpillar larva of a nocturnal moth. Cutworms hide in the soil during the day and wrap themselves around tender seedling stems at night to chew through them.
The Botanical Principles
Cutworms only feed on young, tender stems that are less than 1/4 inch thick. As plants grow and the stems develop woody outer bark, cutworms can no longer chew through them. Therefore, our pest control strategy must focus on physical protection during the first two weeks after transplanting. Research by Cornell Cooperative Extension shows that simple collars are 98% effective. Research compiled by Cornell Cooperative Extension research indicates that soil temperature and moisture levels are the two most critical variables. If you notice other leaf issues on your crops, check out our guide on why tomato leaves turn yellow.
Detailed Action Plan
The most reliable way to protect seedlings is to build a physical collar. You can make collars out of toilet paper rolls, plastic cups with the bottom cut out, or small strips of aluminum foil. Wrap the collar around the stem of the seedling, making sure it goes at least 1 inch deep into the soil and stands 2 inches high above the surface. This blocks the cutworm from reaching the stem as it crawls on the soil surface.
Essential Steps to Take
Common Questions Answered
Question: “How do I find cutworms in my soil?”
Answer: Gently dig up the top 2 inches of soil around a freshly cut seedling. You will find a fat, grey caterpillar curled up into a tight ‘C’ shape. Dig it up and throw it to the chickens or drop it in soapy water.
Another common issue is using the wrong fertilizer at the wrong time. When a plant looks weak, our instinct is to dump nutrients on it. But if the plant is stressed from drought or transplant shock, high-nitrogen fertilizer will burn the roots and make the problem much worse. Focus on healing the root system first with gentle compost tea or liquid seaweed before trying to force new green growth.
I always recommend keeping a simple garden notebook. It doesn’t need to be fancy—just jot down the date you planted, the weather, and when you first noticed pests or leaf discoloration. Over a few seasons, you will start to notice patterns. You’ll know exactly when flea beetles emerge in your area, and you can cover your crops with netting before the damage even starts.
Remember that having a few pests is completely normal. You do not need a pristine, insect-free garden. In fact, if you don’t have any aphids, you won’t have any ladybugs or lacewings. The goal is ecological balance, not total eradication. When you see pests, monitor them for a few days to see if predatory insects show up to do the control work for you.
When buying seeds, try to support regional seed companies. Seeds grown and harvested in your climate zone are already adapted to your local weather, soil, and pest pressures. They possess a natural resilience that mass-produced seeds from big-box store racks simply do not have. It is a small investment that pays off in yield.
When saving seeds, harvest them from your healthiest, most productive plants. If you save seeds from a plant that struggled with disease all season, you are selecting for weak genetics. By saving seeds from the strongest performers, you breed a variety adapted to your microclimate.
Finally, remember that gardening is a journey of observation. Your plants are constantly communicating with you. A slight yellowing, a leaf curl, a droop, or a white spot are all messages. Instead of immediately spraying a chemical, take a minute to look at the soil, the roots, and the weather. The best garden tool is always your shadow.
Let’s discuss the quality of compost. If you buy cheap bagged compost that smells like ammonia or wet wood, it is not fully decomposed. Active decomposition will rob nitrogen from your plants and stunt their roots. Look for compost that is dark, crumbly, and smells like a fresh forest floor after a spring rain.
Mulch is your best friend when it comes to keeping the soil temperature stable and locking in moisture. In my garden, I use a thick layer of wheat straw or shredded autumn leaves. Not only does this keep the soil damp, but it also creates a barrier that prevents soil-borne fungal spores from splashing up onto the lower leaves when it rains. That simple barrier cuts down on diseases like blight significantly.
Check your water source. If you water with municipal tap water that contains heavy chlorine or chloramine, you are adding a sterilizing agent to your soil. While it won’t kill plants directly, it suppresses the beneficial soil fungi and bacteria that feed your plants. If possible, collect rainwater in barrels or let your tap water sit for 24 hours to let the chlorine gas off.
I always recommend pruning the lower leaves of tomato plants. The bottom foot of the stem should be clear of foliage once the plant reaches three feet tall. Fungal diseases like early blight start in the soil. Rain splashes soil particles onto lower leaves, starting the infection. Pruning lower leaves breaks this splash-pathway.
Try to transplant seedlings on a cloudy, overcast day or late in the afternoon. Planting in full, direct midday sun causes intense transplant shock. The leaves lose water faster than the disturbed roots can absorb it, causing wilting that stunts the plant. Give them a night of cool darkness to adjust to their new home.
Airflow and spacing are critical. When seedlings are small, they look tidy, and it is tempting to plant them closer together than recommended. But as they grow, they form a dense canopy. Without good airflow, humidity gets trapped under the leaves, creating a perfect environment for powdery mildew. Give your plants room to breathe, and prune the lower leaves of tall crops to improve air circulation.
Soil structure is just as important as nutrients. If you have heavy clay, the roots struggle to push through compacted earth. Compaction also blocks drainage, leading to rot. Instead of tilling your beds every spring, which destroys soil aggregates and beneficial fungal networks, add a thick layer of compost to the surface and let earthworms do the aeration work for you.
Let’s talk about watering frequency. A lot of gardeners get into the habit of watering their beds every single day for five minutes. This is a big mistake. Shallow watering encourages shallow root systems. The roots stay near the surface because that is where the moisture is. When a hot day hits, that top layer dries out instantly, putting the plant in shock. Instead, water deeply once or twice a week to draw roots deep.
When you’re troubleshooting any issue in your garden, the first thing you should check is the moisture level in the soil. Dig down three or four inches near the dripline of the plant. Is the soil dry and dusty, or is it sticky, cold, and wet? Ideally, your soil should feel like a wrung-out sponge. When roots sit in waterlogged soil, they suffocate. Without oxygen, they cannot absorb nutrients, which is why over-watered plants often look like they are starving.
Let’s talk about watering frequency. A lot of gardeners get into the habit of watering their beds every single day for five minutes. This is a big mistake. Shallow watering encourages shallow root systems. The roots stay near the surface because that is where the moisture is. When a hot day hits, that top layer dries out instantly, putting the plant in shock. Instead, water deeply once or twice a week to draw roots deep.
I always recommend keeping a simple garden notebook. It doesn’t need to be fancy—just jot down the date you planted, the weather, and when you first noticed pests or leaf discoloration. Over a few seasons, you will start to notice patterns. You’ll know exactly when flea beetles emerge in your area, and you can cover your crops with netting before the damage even starts.
When saving seeds, harvest them from your healthiest, most productive plants. If you save seeds from a plant that struggled with disease all season, you are selecting for weak genetics. By saving seeds from the strongest performers, you breed a variety adapted to your microclimate.
I always recommend pruning the lower leaves of tomato plants. The bottom foot of the stem should be clear of foliage once the plant reaches three feet tall. Fungal diseases like early blight start in the soil. Rain splashes soil particles onto lower leaves, starting the infection. Pruning lower leaves breaks this splash-pathway.
Check your water source. If you water with municipal tap water that contains heavy chlorine or chloramine, you are adding a sterilizing agent to your soil. While it won’t kill plants directly, it suppresses the beneficial soil fungi and bacteria that feed your plants. If possible, collect rainwater in barrels or let your tap water sit for 24 hours to let the chlorine gas off.
When buying seeds, try to support regional seed companies. Seeds grown and harvested in your climate zone are already adapted to your local weather, soil, and pest pressures. They possess a natural resilience that mass-produced seeds from big-box store racks simply do not have. It is a small investment that pays off in yield.
Another common issue is using the wrong fertilizer at the wrong time. When a plant looks weak, our instinct is to dump nutrients on it. But if the plant is stressed from drought or transplant shock, high-nitrogen fertilizer will burn the roots and make the problem much worse. Focus on healing the root system first with gentle compost tea or liquid seaweed before trying to force new green growth.
Finally, remember that gardening is a journey of observation. Your plants are constantly communicating with you. A slight yellowing, a leaf curl, a droop, or a white spot are all messages. Instead of immediately spraying a chemical, take a minute to look at the soil, the roots, and the weather. The best garden tool is always your shadow.
Soil structure is just as important as nutrients. If you have heavy clay, the roots struggle to push through compacted earth. Compaction also blocks drainage, leading to rot. Instead of tilling your beds every spring, which destroys soil aggregates and beneficial fungal networks, add a thick layer of compost to the surface and let earthworms do the aeration work for you.
Try to transplant seedlings on a cloudy, overcast day or late in the afternoon. Planting in full, direct midday sun causes intense transplant shock. The leaves lose water faster than the disturbed roots can absorb it, causing wilting that stunts the plant. Give them a night of cool darkness to adjust to their new home.
Let’s discuss the quality of compost. If you buy cheap bagged compost that smells like ammonia or wet wood, it is not fully decomposed. Active decomposition will rob nitrogen from your plants and stunt their roots. Look for compost that is dark, crumbly, and smells like a fresh forest floor after a spring rain.
Mulch is your best friend when it comes to keeping the soil temperature stable and locking in moisture. In my garden, I use a thick layer of wheat straw or shredded autumn leaves. Not only does this keep the soil damp, but it also creates a barrier that prevents soil-borne fungal spores from splashing up onto the lower leaves when it rains. That simple barrier cuts down on diseases like blight significantly.
Remember that having a few pests is completely normal. You do not need a pristine, insect-free garden. In fact, if you don’t have any aphids, you won’t have any ladybugs or lacewings. The goal is ecological balance, not total eradication. When you see pests, monitor them for a few days to see if predatory insects show up to do the control work for you.
Airflow and spacing are critical. When seedlings are small, they look tidy, and it is tempting to plant them closer together than recommended. But as they grow, they form a dense canopy. Without good airflow, humidity gets trapped under the leaves, creating a perfect environment for powdery mildew. Give your plants room to breathe, and prune the lower leaves of tall crops to improve air circulation.
When you’re troubleshooting any issue in your garden, the first thing you should check is the moisture level in the soil. Dig down three or four inches near the dripline of the plant. Is the soil dry and dusty, or is it sticky, cold, and wet? Ideally, your soil should feel like a wrung-out sponge. When roots sit in waterlogged soil, they suffocate. Without oxygen, they cannot absorb nutrients, which is why over-watered plants often look like they are starving.
Another common issue is using the wrong fertilizer at the wrong time. When a plant looks weak, our instinct is to dump nutrients on it. But if the plant is stressed from drought or transplant shock, high-nitrogen fertilizer will burn the roots and make the problem much worse. Focus on healing the root system first with gentle compost tea or liquid seaweed before trying to force new green growth.
Remember that having a few pests is completely normal. You do not need a pristine, insect-free garden. In fact, if you don’t have any aphids, you won’t have any ladybugs or lacewings. The goal is ecological balance, not total eradication. When you see pests, monitor them for a few days to see if predatory insects show up to do the control work for you.
I always recommend pruning the lower leaves of tomato plants. The bottom foot of the stem should be clear of foliage once the plant reaches three feet tall. Fungal diseases like early blight start in the soil. Rain splashes soil particles onto lower leaves, starting the infection. Pruning lower leaves breaks this splash-pathway.
Mulch is your best friend when it comes to keeping the soil temperature stable and locking in moisture. In my garden, I use a thick layer of wheat straw or shredded autumn leaves. Not only does this keep the soil damp, but it also creates a barrier that prevents soil-borne fungal spores from splashing up onto the lower leaves when it rains. That simple barrier cuts down on diseases like blight significantly.
Let’s talk about watering frequency. A lot of gardeners get into the habit of watering their beds every single day for five minutes. This is a big mistake. Shallow watering encourages shallow root systems. The roots stay near the surface because that is where the moisture is. When a hot day hits, that top layer dries out instantly, putting the plant in shock. Instead, water deeply once or twice a week to draw roots deep.
Soil structure is just as important as nutrients. If you have heavy clay, the roots struggle to push through compacted earth. Compaction also blocks drainage, leading to rot. Instead of tilling your beds every spring, which destroys soil aggregates and beneficial fungal networks, add a thick layer of compost to the surface and let earthworms do the aeration work for you.
Try to transplant seedlings on a cloudy, overcast day or late in the afternoon. Planting in full, direct midday sun causes intense transplant shock. The leaves lose water faster than the disturbed roots can absorb it, causing wilting that stunts the plant. Give them a night of cool darkness to adjust to their new home.
Finally, remember that gardening is a journey of observation. Your plants are constantly communicating with you. A slight yellowing, a leaf curl, a droop, or a white spot are all messages. Instead of immediately spraying a chemical, take a minute to look at the soil, the roots, and the weather. The best garden tool is always your shadow.
