Pistol,

It could be birds. Last year on the tomato forum, GoneFishing (Bill P.) had a very similar problem with his tomato plants and finally figured out it was indeed some birds, although I don't remember which kind.

If you want some 'help' in figuring out what is getting the plants, scatter something white on the ground around your broccoli plants--maybe some all-purpose flour or food/garden grade diatomacious earth if you have some. The little beasts or birds should leave some tracks the next time they visit.

Also watch for signs of 'nibbling' on the stalks. It could be field mice or voles or squirrels.

If you have any hot pepper spray or hot pepper wax handy, you could spray the plants and the hot pepper taste might repel them. That works with some grazers but not with others.

Sorry about your plants. I hope the rest survive.

Dawn

There was a similar thread somewhere a few days ago and they decided the culprit was a turtle.
Just a thought.
vickie

Is broccoli in the brassica family, Dawn? If so, it could be cabbage worms. They are here and they are mating, and they like things in that family. I've noticed inch worms (moths) on some of my plants already. Also, if it is cutworms, you may never find the worm itself. They move pretty fast and at night. Some winter over as caterpillars, feed a bit when they wake up, and then go to ground to pupate.

The best way to protect your plants is with collars. On my ornamentals I use rings of plastic cut from 2-ltr coke bottles. You can also use tuna cans with the top and bottom cut out. This will protect them.

Susan

Susan,

You're right, there's always the chance it could be cabbage loopers. But, the damage I generally see from the cabbge worms is that the leaves are just riddled with holes, and not that leaves are chewed off or even that growing tips are damaged.

I also see similar damage from sow bugs and pill bugs. They chew through stems. Sometimes they eat the entire plant and sometimes they just nibble at the stem. Often they eat clear through the stem and the plant topples over onto the ground.

You know, a lot of times with damage in a vegetable garden, unless you see the culprit in action, you never really know what caused plant damage.

It could be a lot of things, including the turtles Vickie mentioned.

When Bill P. has this problem in his garden, everyone was stumped for a while until he figured out it was the birds. I think he caught them 'in the act', but I'm not sure.

Dawn