Slugs and snails can cause havoc in gardens, but Monty Don has shared several natural slug control methods to keep them at bay and protect your plants and crops
Monty Don has given his advice(Image: Colin McPherson, Corbis via Getty Images)
Slugs and snails can cause significant damage in gardens, especially during the spring and summer months, munching their way through plants and crops.
The devastation extends beyond foliage, as these garden pests also target fruits such as strawberries and tomatoes, with the potential to destroy complete harvests.
Thankfully, Monty Don has revealed several eco-friendly strategies to deter them.
Writing on his blog, Monty explained: “Slugs and snails are widely regarded as the gardeners’ public enemy number one.
“But they are superb at recycling waste vegetative matter but do not discriminate between a fallen leaf and a delicious young seedling.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Monty has some natural methods(Image: Ben Montgomery, Getty Images)
“Slugs live largely underground in the soil and like damp conditions. Snails live above the ground and love dark nooks and crannies such as old brickwork or a nice dry yew hedge, as well as clustering around the base of containers.”
The horticulture specialist notes that while over 30 slug species can be found throughout the UK, four main varieties inhabit gardens, and interestingly, the biggest ones aren’t always the most damaging.
But what can gardeners do to protect their outdoor plants from slug damage?
Monty recommended: “Avoid slug pellets as they are chemicals that can harm other wildlife. Instead have a small slug-free cold frame or tape where you can raise tender young plants and check for slugs daily.
“Do not feed plants any more than is absolutely necessary and always feed the soil, not the plant.
Slugs can eat crops and plants in the garden(Image: Getty)
“This will avoid a spurt of soft, sappy growth that slugs love. Without stressing them with sudden temperatures or cultivation changes, grow your plants as hard as possible which means do not mollycoddle them.
“Finally, encourage a wide range of predators into the garden. I have masses of thrushes, frogs, toads, beetles, centipedes, shrews and a few hedgehogs.”
These creatures are all natural predators of slugs and snails, making them a valuable asset to any gardener’s outdoor space who’s battling with these pests.
Slugs and snails find it difficult to traverse sharp or rough surfaces, so placing a layer of crushed eggshells or gravel around the base of plants can act as an effective deterrent.
This approach helps prevent the pests from climbing up the sides of containers, while crops like tomatoes and strawberries can be grown in hanging baskets as a further safeguard.
You won’t need to use harsh chemicals to get rid of slugs and snails this spring(Image: Getty)
Eggshells only work as a barrier when they’re clean and dry, so they must be removed during damp conditions.
When breaking an egg, attempt to peel away the inner membrane and rinse if needed.
Gardening expert Shannen Godwin from J Parker’s explained: “The good news is that slugs won’t attack all of your plants.
“In fact, many plants can deter slugs. These are typically the plants with strongly scented leaves or textured leaves that are particularly glossy, leathery or hairy.
“Some slug-resistant plants include roses, ferns, hydrangeas and grasses.
“It can also help to combine some slug-resistant plants alongside your seedlings, known as companion planting.
“Aromatic herbs are usually great to plant next to your vegetables and seedlings to avoid slugs.
“For example, mint and chives can be helpful for companion planting between rows of vegetables.”
Comments are closed.