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Slugs and Hostas

Eileen.ridgewayEileen.ridgeway Posts: 1
in Problem solving
I have some beautiful hostas and my husband goes looking for slugs every evening, however I came across something recently, don't know where and it was something to do for slugs without damaging the wild life apparently you crush four cloves of garlic I don't now remember what they were mixed with but obviously with water and sprayed over the leaves, did anyone else hear this and what is the second  item that was used.  I am going to try just the garlic with the water and keep my fingers crossed.
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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I know lots of Hosta growers swear by it. I'm sure you could find "recipes" on you tube
    Devon.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Recipe from Sienna Hostas.

    Garlic Wash Recipe

    As seen during our appearance on BBC Gardeners World we use garlic wash as a slug deterrent on the nursery. Please find below the recipe that we use and find very effective. The quantities aren't exact and you can always alter them as you wish.

     

    Sienna Hosta Garlic Wash Recipe

    1. Take 2 full bulbs of garlic and add them to approximately 2L of water in a saucepan.     
    2. Boil until soft and squash with the back of a fork to release as much juice as possible.
    3. Sieve out skins and bits so you are left with a cloudy liquid concentrate.
    4. Dilute approximately 2 tablespoons to 5L of water in a sprayer or watering can.
    5. Spray or water over your plants once a week.
    6. High dosage and more regular applications may be needed in wet weather.

  • berardeberarde Posts: 147
    I have used some Grazers spray, which gives a bitter taste when sprayed on, so might be more convenient than garlic boiling, and I imagine does the same sort of job. Tastes bitter, so should make the leaves unpalatable.
    https://www.grazers.co.uk/product/gardeners/grazers-g2-concentrate-350ml/
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The problem with these sprays is that, as soon as it rains, you have to re apply. If you live in a wetter area, you'd never be finished spraying it everywhere.
    I can't stand the smell of garlic so I've never tried it.
    I just gave up on hostas - too much bother with the amount of slugs we have here.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    We get lots of rain here and our grass is a carpet of slugs by night however we don't have any slug damage to our Hostas at all. We think it's due to our very deep tree surgeon mulch that we apply, it goes on whenever I get it and is 4-8 inch deep excessive I know but we haven't had any slug damage in the last 2 1/2 years since we started and no garlic boiling needed. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Don't the tree surgeons mind being mulched @Wilderbeast?  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Fairygirl said:
    Don't the tree surgeons mind being mulched @Wilderbeast?  ;)
    you'd not think there were that many tree surgeons around to lie them about the place as a mulch.
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I was presuming they'd be shredded first @Hostafan1.
    They'd go further then....
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Fairygirl said:
    I was presuming they'd be shredded first @Hostafan1.
    They'd go further then....
    I suppose they'd have to be to get a 6 inch layer
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Depends how big they are to start with too  :D

    Sorry @Wilderbeast - I've been up since half four...
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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