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Gardening

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Original poster

Keeping slugs and snails off my seedlings 🌱

34 replies

Bigteamug · 02/04/2023 12:16

Hi everyone

For the first time ever I have grown some seedlings on my window sill, geraniums, pansies and asters.

They will be planted in slightly raised flower beds when they are ready. Will surrounding them with gravel help stop them being eaten? I'd hate for all the TLC I've given them to be for nothing.

Thank you

OP posts:
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jiskoot · 02/04/2023 12:33

In my experience there's not a lot that will stop them...I've tried gravel, coffee, hair...all sorts over the years to no avail. You could try planting some sacrificial plants that they love around them or alternatively plants that they hate (lavender, rosemary as a couple of ideas) they're relatively cheap to buy. Also, not sure but are your plants ones that could be put in hanging baskets or pots with some copper around the rim (have never tried that so don't know if it works.. ). Good luck though, it's heartbreaking when plants you have lovingly nurtured from seed get eaten

TonTonMacoute · 02/04/2023 13:43

The geraniums should be okay, but I just don’t bother at all with pansies these days, or anything else slugs love. It’s a shame, but better for my sanity in the long run.

Original poster
Bigteamug · 02/04/2023 14:00

Thank you both for your replies. I have already dedicated the raised bed so I will try planting something slugs and snails hate to deter them.

Ironically I chose to grow these seedlings as my pet tortoise can eat them to supplement his diet! I didn't consider that I'd get attached and find a new hobby in the process 😁

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 02/04/2023 17:46

I go out with a torch and remove them by hand.
My 18 year old self would be both horrified and laughing hysterically.

AlwaysAlba · 02/04/2023 18:07

Dried seaweed deters them plus is a great fertiliser.

Original poster
Bigteamug · 02/04/2023 18:32

Brilliant tips, thank you. The battle to keep the seedlings safe is on! 😁

OP posts:
MereDintofPandiculation · 03/04/2023 12:32

I just don’t bother at all with pansies these days, or anything else slugs love. I've found violas better than pansies

akkakk · 03/04/2023 12:56

copper stick on strips work quite well...
nematodes are your best friend

Billybagpuss · 03/04/2023 16:31

I just tried crushed egg shells on my delphiniums, which was working but I couldn’t work out why they were being moved and disappearing after a couple of days.

I found the culprit, sadly not before losing all my lovely delphiniums. Here is a picture of the culprit , she was eating the shells.

Keeping slugs and snails off my seedlings 🌱
gamerchick · 03/04/2023 16:34

Beer traps help. Or companion plants to be sacrificial lambs.

Or head torch, gloves and a bucket every night

Oneiros · 04/04/2023 00:19

Once you have them in a bucket 🤮 what do you do with them?!

I have heard nematodes work well but not tried it. For stuff in pots copper mesh worked well. For stuff in beds I'm still at a loss. Going to try shells around the plants and spraying them with garlic this year. But the riskiest part is when they're tiny isn't it and I will be so cross if slugs get them!

LadyHester · 04/04/2023 00:25

Trying a multi-pronged attack this year after total devastation in 2022. Nematodes, covering with mesh, copper rimmed cliches, encouraging blackbirds. Will resort to head torch and bucket if needs must.

Original poster
Bigteamug · 04/04/2023 09:07

Billybagpuss impossible to be cross with such a lovely girl! 😄

OP posts:
Mutabiliss · 04/04/2023 09:29

Nematodes (but you'll have to wait until May because there's a problem with the latest batch) and copper rings. And going out at night with a torch. Also don't plant them out until they're a good size, so they won't be destroyed in one night if something does get to them.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 04/04/2023 09:34

The blue slug pellets from B&Q work well . The white ones are hopeless.

I have been gardening for fifty years , and I have never seen a bird or animal est a slug pellet ( and we have pigeon threads over the seed bed, so plenty of ‘wildlife’.)

I did try some ‘organic ‘ pellets once, safe for everything ( including the slugs BTW) . The blackbirds thought they were a free buffet, and since they already have a substantial budget of their own in the many feeders etc. , I was not best pleased.

sashh · 04/04/2023 09:37

I started putting cat food out for the hedgehogs, they took care of the slugs.

Billybagpuss · 04/04/2023 11:10

Bigteamug · 04/04/2023 09:07

Billybagpuss impossible to be cross with such a lovely girl! 😄

I know, look what she did to my honeysuckle, all but two stems severed. And what did I do, gave her a cuddle and told her what a naughty girl she was in a goofy voice 🙄 it’s sprouting again quite well.

Keeping slugs and snails off my seedlings 🌱
livingthegoodlife · 04/04/2023 19:33

No where is safe - this was indoors....

Keeping slugs and snails off my seedlings 🌱
lilyfire · 04/04/2023 20:10

Mutabiliss · 04/04/2023 09:29

Nematodes (but you'll have to wait until May because there's a problem with the latest batch) and copper rings. And going out at night with a torch. Also don't plant them out until they're a good size, so they won't be destroyed in one night if something does get to them.

That explains why everywhere is out of stock for nematodes. Do you think they should be available again by May?

WobblyLondoner · 05/04/2023 13:57

Mutabiliss · 04/04/2023 09:29

Nematodes (but you'll have to wait until May because there's a problem with the latest batch) and copper rings. And going out at night with a torch. Also don't plant them out until they're a good size, so they won't be destroyed in one night if something does get to them.

Can you say more? I got a batch two weeks ago and put them on last weekend - what's the issue with them?

Mutabiliss · 05/04/2023 16:55

@lilyfire @WobblyLondoner The place I get my nematodes just posted this on their Instagram.

That was probably the last of the old batch you used. Lucky, I wish I'd bought some two weeks ago as my tulips in my borders are getting mullered!

Keeping slugs and snails off my seedlings 🌱
Konfetka · 05/04/2023 16:59

All slugs and snails are rehomed into the compost bin here.

Hedjwitch · 05/04/2023 21:04

Just tried an organic wool pellet thing from the garden centre. It smells like horse shit but so far seems to be working!

Original poster
Bigteamug · 07/04/2023 09:18

livingthegoodlife the snails got indoors? That is extreme! 😀

OP posts:
Reugny · 07/04/2023 09:21

Water them with a garlic infusion.

Google how to make it.

It stops slugs and snails eating them plus apparently deters cats from pooing in the area.