Is is too late for cutworm prevention?

[hasshoes]

My plants are between four and almost two weeks old. . . .

I was under the impression that you just stuck something around the stem, but now I'm reading that the protection needs to go one inch into the soil- which I'm now worried will damage the roots.

If I shove stuff around the stems one inch deep now, will I potentially be doing more harm than good?

And I don't know if this is relevant or not. . . but starting on Thursday I'm going out of town for a week and leaving the maters unattended. . .

Thanks again!!!