Simple pest prevention

To protect seedlings and young transplants from cutworm damage, just save the thick cardboard sleeve, like you see below, that comes around to-go cups of coffee or other hot beverages.

When it’s time to make sure cutworms don’t chew off the stems of new growth, gently open up each ring at its seam and cut the cardboard strip into halves. Tightly roll each piece up again and secure it with clear tape. Set the rings over seedlings and pat them down into the soil to create an effective cutworm collar, just like at left.