SLUGS are showing no sign of disappearing back underground, thanks to the warm and moist weather.
Word around most gardens and allotments is this has been one of the worst years in living memory.
By now, slugs are normally back underground, or have gravitated towards the cool, shady dry spots so they’re easy to find.
But this year, ninja style, they’re still finding a way to munch on practically everything.
Entire veg plots are being razed to the ground and God help the Dahlias.
It’s almost as if the slugs have got together to work out how to best get around all the usual repellents.
But Garden expert Ted Bromley-Hall, from Ibran, reckons he might have a couple of alternatives for Sun Gardening readers to try out.
He said: “There’s a common misconception that eggshells are a great physical deterrent to slugs, but in reality, slugs are able to cross most sharp surfaces thanks to their secretion of a dense mucus slime.
“Worse still, decaying, unwashed eggshells emit a smell that attracts slugs!
“For greenhouses and sheltered spots, you could use finely powdered gypsum as the powder prevents the slugs from being able to create traction.”
According to the Oxford Languages Dictionary, Gypsum is a soft white or grey mineral consisting of hydrated calcium sulphate.
It occurs chiefly in sedimentary deposits and is used to make fertilisers and plaster of Paris, and in the building industry.
You can buy small bags of it from eBay for £3.79.
Ted added: “Thick cuttings of spiky bramble bushes (laid horizontally) also provide an excellent physical barrier that slugs and snails will struggle to overcome.
“The problem with any chemical or substance you use to kill or repel slugs is the effect it either has on other wildlife such as hedgehogs and amphibians, as well as the effect it will have on the chemistry of the soil.
“For example, there are many iron-based slug repellent pellets available that are considered to be organic but are also harmful to toads and frogs. Salt is another example of this.
“Slugs are cannibalistic and will happily eat their fallen friends for the moisture and protein content.
“Having a singular location near their favourite spots that you make a ‘slug graveyard’ will attract them back to the same spot.
“If you come back and check the spot you will be able to move them away or dispose of them before they get a chance to tuck into your greenery.”
A competition to win £200 of Primeur pots, top tips and advice.
NEWS! Elliot Webb, from Urban Farm-it, has written Growing Mushrooms at Home.
Walk into any garden centre or show, and you’ll see all sorts of different varieties you can grow at home.
Unusually they often come with a small log to grow them out of – which also looks pretty cool. But you can also grow them in buckets and bags, and outdoor beds.
Not only are they great for breaking down dead organic material for your compost heap, they are very high in nutrients – packed with vitamins and minerals, so great for a vegetarian diet. Mushroom compost is a great soil conditioner or mulch.
And according to Elliot’s new book, ‘Reishi’ mushrooms are attributed with boosting immune systems, ‘Maitake’ ‘regulates blood sugar levels, trendy ‘Lions Mane’ claims to improve brain power, memory and concentration, ‘Shiitake’ is supposed to boost heart health, ‘Cordyceps’ increase energy levels and ‘Turkey Tail’ is packed full of antioxidants.
If you’re new to the idea of growing mushrooms, the home growing kits are probably the easiest.
Although you can buy mushroom spawn to grow in beds or boxes filled with compost or manure.
They’re best grown undercover – like a shed, or a cold frame, or even a cellar if you have one.
And the optimum growing temperature is around 15oC so its important to be able to have some sort of control over it if possible.
Growing Mushrooms At Home is out now, £18.99, published by Octopus Books.
NEWS! Did you know there’s an orchard in Kent where you can rent your own cherry tree? For just £55 per year, you get to enjoy every part – from the incredible blossom, to the beautiful bounty.
Throughout the year you will receive, via email or post, six newsletters updating you on what’s happening in the orchard and how this year’s cherry crop is looking. Then there’s an opportunity to have a blossom walk, and a period of 7-10 days in July to go pick. For more information visit www.rentacherrytree.co.uk.
NEWS! The RHS have a new book out in September – ‘Grow Your Own Veg Through The Year’, revealing the best vegetables and herbs to grow today, with practical advice to produce healthy harvests from any size of plot.
SAVE! Bring a touch of blue to your garden with this lovely 20cm pot from Woodlodge.co.uk for £14.99, or get almost the same at B&Q for £6.30.
WIN! Primeur Pots are offering one lucky reader a £200 voucher to spend on Tierra Verde Planters of their choice. Their pots are made from recycled rubber, so there’s far less chance of cracking – and a whole range to pick from! \
To enter and more information, visit www.thesun.co.uk/PRIMEUR, or fill in THIS form.
Or write to Sun Primeur Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 23.59GMT 10.08.24 T&Cs apply.
THIS WEEKS JOB! Keep on deadheading! Harvest garlic when the head starts to turn yellow and bend over, and train cucumbers upwards. Keep picking courgettes to get more.
TOP TIP! If you want to keep your hydrangea blue – water with rain water instead of tap. And try and water at least twice a week in July – they’re thirsty plants.
