People in the UK would benefit from putting beer in their garden, an expert has said. Grow-your-own specialist, Huw Richards, and watering and hand tools brand, GARDENA, outlined a method to safeguard your plants from critters called a “slug pub”. Huw said: “Slugs are attracted to the smell of beer from up to 100 metres away, so cut the bottom of a plastic bottle to create a shallow dish and pour in some lager.
“Make sure this is embedded in the ground so that the slugs don’t get put off by the sharp edges of the plastic.” He also warned not to use certain chemicals. The gardener added: “Remember that gardens are an ecosystem, so a few critters here and there will attract predators like ladybirds and lacewings that we need. With this in mind, never use chemical pesticides.”
Huw also advised that you watch your brassicas for any cabbage white butterfly eggs in June. “If you come across any, they can be wiped straight off the leaves,” he said.
The expert also recommended that those with green fingers cook up a homemade garlic or nettle tea to combat aphids, or squash any you might see.
He added: “If you struggle with slugs and snails in your garden, there are many different techniques to try to keep them at bay. Every garden is different, so you may need to trial a few methods.
“Night patrols and using upturned citrus skins are a couple of methods that have helped me to keep my plants safe.”
While deterring some insects, it is also important to attract pollinators at this time of year.
Huw said: “Whilst having a perfectly neat garden free of weeds may sound like the goal, some of these extra flowers and weeds are needed to attract insects.
“Pollinators are essential for crops like courgettes, beans, and tomatoes, and beneficial insects keep pest numbers in check.
“Let dandelions, clover, or herbs flower to attract bees and plant calendula, borage, alyssum, and yarrow. There’s no need to rush to tidy everything immediately – remember that a diverse garden is a healthy garden.”