Trowel and Error

[Disco]

45!!!

They are insane this year.

Does raw rolled porridge oats work? Supposed to swell in their stomachs but if it rains then surely it's already swollen and you're simply giving them more food and possibly encouraging rodents.

[Derek Nimmo]

I read about two good slug repellent techniques, both pet safe. One is to sprinkle a thick circle of oats around delicate plants, and apparently this deters them from coming too close as it dries them out. Having said that, you need to sprinkle a fresh lot every time it rains so not particularly useful in the current climate

The other one seemed more sensible, take a thick plank of wood and pour some water over it so that it's suitably damp, then prop it up lengthways on the side of any vulnerable border. If you check it regularly, apparently you'll find the little bastards sheltering there, and can dispose of as you see fit.

[Derek Nimmo]

Oh, jinx! Yes, apparently you do need to replace them once it's rained.

[Disco]

I've got crcushed eggsshells all over my strawberry patch.

[Disco]

Oh, jinx! Yes, apparently you do need to replace them once it's rained.

Jinx indeed!

I might make a beer trap.

[baargain]

I do have a lot of oats in the cupboard! And I should separate out the coffee grounds too. It'll be a medley of weird shite all over the veg beds :lol: Dregs the cat eats oats, so I'll have to battle her as well :))

[Mountain Goat]

Oh I also saw that plank one! And I have wool packing material so will try that on my one dahlia they seem to find attractive.

What do you do with them when you collect them on the plank? I've been putting mine in the compost bin. They probably just find a way out though.

[Derek Nimmo]

Maybe it's like mice - you should probably take them a good mile away and let them free on a verge :))

[baargain]

Apparently they do come back, although they do enjoy a compost bin. I would probably kill them all with scissors, but I'm at war now

[Mountain Goat]

After 45 lettuces, anyone would be at them with scissors I think!

I don't want mine to come back but I also don't want to go for a walk with a bag of slugs held away from my body while I pull a face of disgust. Hopefully they'll be content with compost.

[Cosmopolitan]

The slug situation is horrific this year. Such arseholes

[baargain]

My beans are just stumps. STUMPS.

[Cerise]

I drown the fuckers in hot salty water and then chuck it out in the street!

[absley]

Dregs the cat eats oats, so I'll have to battle her as well :))

Are other people with rhubarb having issues this year? Mine have collapsed and are useless spindly things atm.

And I've decided that peas are stupid - the ones that haven't been munched are refusing to put their tendrils anywhere near the poles they have been tied to for support, so they just keep collapsing. Stupid things.

[baargain]

I read somewhere about rhubarb having an initial small flush early on in spring, then a second bigger go later in spring. Since late spring has been cancelled then I'm assuming that is why mine has also gone all spindly.

[absley]

Interesting, thanks Baa.

[Disco]

Finally!

[baargain]

Yay! They're lovely!

[Disco]

I'm so pleased, I thought they might do a Cerise.

[Mountain Goat]

Oh they're beautiful!!