@Woo2: Crush two bulbs of garlic (whole garlics), boil in 2pts water for 3-4mins until blanched. Strain and make back to 2 pts. Leave to cool and store. Mix 1 tablespoon into a gallon (3.8 litres) of water, sprinkle late afternoon in dry weather.
I always used to shirk at killing them and threw snails over the fence in the direction of the car-parking area, hoping that birds or cars would finish the job for me, and I never handled slugs (too icky) but I have to say, this year has been tougher and feel less guilt, taking my secateurs to them, cutting heads off or cutting in half. Sorry to sound cruel but I'm trying to kill them as fast as possible. I don't do late night hunts because its too horrible at night, but I will search foliage when its pouring day time.
It's going fairly well for saying I'm making it up as I go along!
I don't know if you have one near you, but small independent nurseries are worth looking at for cheap starter plants. I got my delphiniums, digitalis and saxifrage from one at 70p each.
It's going fairly well for saying I'm making it up as I go along!
I don't know if you have one near you, but small independent nurseries are worth looking at for cheap starter plants. I got my delphiniums, digitalis and saxifrage from one at 70p each.
I wish you every success and enjoyment your first year Rob, but just to prepare you, guard your Delphiniums and Foxgloves from slugs and snails and watch out for vine weevil in the roots of your Saxifrage!
Not all plants are slug dinner, you just happen to have chosen their favourites! Also, Delphiniums could do with staking but the best version (although none is gale proof) is a loose frame around the plants instead of tight canes. It's your choice of course, but lets not spoil your first year of gardening!
Getting to know your soil and environment will serve you well, being vigilant against pests and diseases will allow your plants to reward you the best way they know how.
Hi everyone, had fun reading all your great tips about slugs etc. I planted a couple of Rhubarb plants on our new allotment last weekend and the birds have really attacked them. Or perhaps it's the slugs? I have used slug pellets before but wanted to keep the allotment as chemical free as possible so any tips gratefully received.
Most of my veggies are starting off well, but we have had loads of rain here. Except Monday, which was the only dry day. Today not bad, so popped to allotment for a while this evening. Had to cover most of my seedlings with nets as the birds are having a feeding frenzy. They first pecked all the tops off our radishes, little blighters!
Looking forward to chatting to you all further. Maybe share a photo or two once things really get going up the allotment and in the garden. (Was also gutted to see Monty & co knocked off TV for the snooker tonight!)
@Wintersong - Thanks for the advice. I have staked the delphiniums, but I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing so at the moment they're loosely tied to canes with the twine in a figure 8 to form a buffer. They seem to be surviving the wind so far (touch wood!) but any suggestions on improving this are gratefully received. What do you mean by a loose frame?
Inka - I may have seen your niece on the TV then. I watch Channel 9 news when I am over there and also every now and then here on the Internet.
Greetings Woo! If you love your hostas I would not recommend planting them in the garden. Any precautions will be in vain because nothing stops the slugs & snails from leaving a slimy trail of devestation! I grow mine in pots covered in copper tape and up away from the ground, but it is only a matter of time before they get nabbed.
I got my suitcase out last night to start packing and immediately broke the zip. I was planning an emergency trip into town tomorrow to get a replacement but a lovely lady in our post room at work has lent me her's.
@ wintersong. Thank you for the garlic info, much appreciated.
@ Rob, thanks for the advice will be on the prowl this weekend!
@ AllomentMax, sounds as if youve got on well so far this year, due to hols Im way behind just praying for an improvement in the weather this week so I can get out there after work. Where abouts are you?
Posts
Thanks Wintersong will try the grit followed by the garlic to be sure. Do you make your own solution if so how? Dumb blonde moment
Just seen your tip Katie, thank you, will make note of that too. am sure that if beer is involved 'his lordship' will be sure to offer lol.
Rob, sounds as if your going great guns....will have to find where my nearest poundshop is!
@Woo2: Crush two bulbs of garlic (whole garlics), boil in 2pts water for 3-4mins until blanched. Strain and make back to 2 pts. Leave to cool and store. Mix 1 tablespoon into a gallon (3.8 litres) of water, sprinkle late afternoon in dry weather.
I always used to shirk at killing them and threw snails over the fence in the direction of the car-parking area, hoping that birds or cars would finish the job for me, and I never handled slugs (too icky) but I have to say, this year has been tougher and feel less guilt, taking my secateurs to them, cutting heads off or cutting in half. Sorry to sound cruel but I'm trying to kill them as fast as possible. I don't do late night hunts because its too horrible at night, but I will search foliage when its pouring day time.
It's going fairly well for saying I'm making it up as I go along!
I don't know if you have one near you, but small independent nurseries are worth looking at for cheap starter plants. I got my delphiniums, digitalis and saxifrage from one at 70p each.
I wish you every success and enjoyment your first year Rob, but just to prepare you, guard your Delphiniums and Foxgloves from slugs and snails and watch out for vine weevil in the roots of your Saxifrage!
Not all plants are slug dinner, you just happen to have chosen their favourites! Also, Delphiniums could do with staking but the best version (although none is gale proof) is a loose frame around the plants instead of tight canes. It's your choice of course, but lets not spoil your first year of gardening!
Getting to know your soil and environment will serve you well, being vigilant against pests and diseases will allow your plants to reward you the best way they know how.
Hi everyone, had fun reading all your great tips about slugs etc. I planted a couple of Rhubarb plants on our new allotment last weekend and the birds have really attacked them. Or perhaps it's the slugs? I have used slug pellets before but wanted to keep the allotment as chemical free as possible so any tips gratefully received.
Most of my veggies are starting off well, but we have had loads of rain here. Except Monday, which was the only dry day. Today not bad, so popped to allotment for a while this evening. Had to cover most of my seedlings with nets as the birds are having a feeding frenzy. They first pecked all the tops off our radishes, little blighters!
Looking forward to chatting to you all further. Maybe share a photo or two once things really get going up the allotment and in the garden. (Was also gutted to see Monty & co knocked off TV for the snooker tonight!)
@Wintersong - Thanks for the advice. I have staked the delphiniums, but I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing so at the moment they're loosely tied to canes with the twine in a figure 8 to form a buffer. They seem to be surviving the wind so far (touch wood!) but any suggestions on improving this are gratefully received. What do you mean by a loose frame?
Inka - I may have seen your niece on the TV then. I watch Channel 9 news when I am over there and also every now and then here on the Internet.
Greetings Woo! If you love your hostas I would not recommend planting them in the garden. Any precautions will be in vain because nothing stops the slugs & snails from leaving a slimy trail of devestation! I grow mine in pots covered in copper tape and up away from the ground, but it is only a matter of time before they get nabbed.
I got my suitcase out last night to start packing and immediately broke the zip. I was planning an emergency trip into town tomorrow to get a replacement but a lovely lady in our post room at work has lent me her's.
I fly out on Sunday
When do you fly Geoff?
@ wintersong. Thank you for the garlic info, much appreciated.
@ Rob, thanks for the advice will be on the prowl this weekend!
@ AllomentMax, sounds as if youve got on well so far this year, due to hols Im way behind
just praying for an improvement in the weather this week so I can get out there after work. Where abouts are you?