Hi all,
I need your advice. My garden is mostly shady and I'm interesting in growing hellebores, hostas, toad lilly, heucheras and ferns. These plants would be happier with more water than I've been giving them and I know that mulch would help with that. However, I also have a problem with snails and slugs. Any advice on what to do?
Thanks.
Sarah
Slugs and mulch - what to do?
I grow hellebores and ferns with no problems. I use pecan mulch and somehow think that keeps slugs away, although I don't look for them...but don't have damage either. I just put in a hosta I got at the RU, so we will see if the pecan mulch works there. I know I have snails in other areas, but seems like they aren't around with the pecan mulch. I also don't water very much. Twice a week at the most in the heat of the summer.
Just checked that pic. Looks like that was cedar mulch and some live oak leaves .
They say cedar mulch is great for keeping insects away, even mesquitos. We haven't tried it yet but when I re-mulch I am going to try the cedar.
Thanks, all. I've tried Sluggo and DE without noticeable results. I'll have to try the cedar mulch as I also have a huge problem with mosquitos. I'm trying to be somewhat organic, and I have dogs, so I don't want to go the chemical route, but enough is enough already! :)
I try not to spray because of the butterflies and ladybugs. But the mosquitos were really bad this year. I hope we have a sudden hard freeze that gets them cut back some. We are for sure going to put some of the cedar under neath our decks.
I haven't had a slug problem myself, but I've heard people talk about beer traps being effective. I'm not sure how they work, but I know that slugs love beer and will flock to mostly empty cans if left out.
Oh yes, I have heard that too. You take a pie pan or butter tub and sink it into the ground fill to a inch or so, then place a board over the top that almost covers it. They crawl in and drown. You have to empty and refill each day but sounds good to me.
I've heard that too. But the thought of emptying the trap...that's just gross! LOL.
You must not hate snails as much as I do. LOL! After a rain I will scour the plants and grab any I see and squish them. Nothing is too bad when it kills snails and slugs.
This message was edited Oct 27, 2009 8:11 AM
I have tried the beer trap and I think it just gives them the munchies...I have been experementing with Diatematious earth will let you know how it is working but most likely wont know till next spring
Meant to clarify that the bed with ferns and hellebores was mostly pecan mulch, but just had a little cedar mulch when I ran out.
I think the pecan mulch sounds promising. I'm going to try that. Also, wouldn't that be good for clay soil as it decomposes?
Copper repels slugs. I've put little copper rings around the base of some of my speical plants for that purpose, with good results. I've also tried the beer bait trick, but I think it attracts more slugs and snails than it actually drowns. And it is pretty gross emptying the saucer every day. Diatomaceous earth works great and is inexpensive and readily available (look in the swimming pool supply section of any home improvement store) but it's unattractive (white) and has to be reapplied after a rain. Cedar mulch (made from wood & bark - not needles) repels a number of pests but I've not noticed if it works on slugs and snails.
do you buy the copper from the plumbing section?
Those rings would be more expensive than any plant your are protecting! Copper is very costly now days.
yes..atleast it wouldn't have to be replaced like mulch
I get my Diatmecous earth from the co-op and it is grey and I had never seen any that wasn't white and it is expensive and we have had so much rain I think the effectiveness of it is in question...