Slugs and snails can wreak havoc in gardens, particularly in spring and summer. But Monty Don has shared several natural methods to keep them at bay without chemicals
Monty Don has given his advice(Image: Mike Marsland, WireImagevia Getty Images)
You won’t need to use harsh chemicals to get rid of slugs and snails this spring(Image: Getty)
Monty Don has warned gardeners about the law(Image: Colin McPherson, Corbis via Getty Images)
(Image: Mike Marsland, WireImagevia Getty Images)
(Image: Ben Montgomery, Getty Images)
(Image: Getty)
Slugs and snails can cause significant damage in gardens, especially during spring and summer months, munching through plants and crops.
The devastation extends beyond foliage, as these pests also feast on fruits such as strawberries and tomatoes, potentially destroying entire harvests.
Thankfully, Monty Don has revealed several eco-friendly techniques to keep them under control.
In a blog post, Monty said: “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.
“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 horticultural expert explains that while over 30 slug species exist throughout the UK, four main varieties inhabit gardens, and remarkably, the biggest ones aren’t always the most damaging.
So how can gardeners prevent slugs from harming their outdoor plants?
Monty advised: “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.
“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.”
All these creatures are natural slug and snail predators, making them a welcome presence in any exasperated gardener’s outdoor area.
Slugs and snails also find it difficult to traverse sharp or rough surfaces, so a layer of crushed eggshells or gravel placed around the base of plants can act as an effective barrier.
This approach helps prevent the pests from climbing up the sides of pots, while crops including tomatoes and strawberries can be grown in hanging baskets as a further safeguard.
Eggshells only work as a deterrent when clean and dry, so it’s vital to bring them in during damp weather.
When breaking an egg, attempt to peel away the inner membrane and rinse if needed.
Gardening expert Shannen Godwin from J Parker’s said: “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.”
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