this post was submitted on 31 May 2024
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submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by ThrowawaySobriquet to c/gardening
 

My pak choi army has fallen. I sent them out to harden and the slugs just rolled over them in a night.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 6 months ago (1 children)

My sympathies. I read your post and quickly ran outside into the rain to cover up my veggies with an old cold frame. Had put them into soil just hours ago but forgot the cover. So for what it's worth, you may have saved 20ish little cabbages, carrots and beets today :)

[–] ThrowawaySobriquet 6 points 6 months ago

See, now there's a good silver lining. Glad my sacrifice wasn't in vain

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago

you need some copper wire?

[–] venoft 3 points 6 months ago

I resorted to growing my zucchini on my windowsill after first my 4 seed grown got eaten and then the 2 I had bought in the shop.

[–] SchmidtGenetics 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (3 children)

RIP

Are slugs good for anything? Edible even? Beneficial to the garden in any way?

[–] ThrowawaySobriquet 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

They do help break things down, but unlike most helpful bugs they prefer the produce. I have just never seen them like this. We usually have to take countermeasures against them every year, but this year is we're just swamped.

I'm gonna do some work out there this weekend. Think I'm gonna get aggressive with the DE because I think I'm also having some trouble with woodlice. Do some tactical earth salting around the beds

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

I'm trying used coffee grounds and some other stinky or dry stuff like lavender they (supposedly) don't like around the plants I can't cover up well. But the most effective strategy - by far - has been my weeding tool. I go around and simply split all slugs I see in half and do it every day and especially when it rains. Others around me are drowning in snails this spring - I have very little in comparison. Another thing I do is to collect all large snails (Weinbergschnecken) and put them out in strategic places where slugs lay their eggs. Snails eat their eggs. Or so the AI tells me 😅

[–] ThrowawaySobriquet 1 points 6 months ago

Thanks for the advice. I've tried coffee grounds, essential oils, copper wire, it all does little to stop the slime trails. The snails, tho... I may have to look into that. I worry about backing myself into the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly corner, but something's gotta give

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] venoft 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

The true victims of the housing crisis.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

LoL, yes and tho' it may, for some, be ok to eat them simmered with garlic, butter and herbs, I do not suggest this as a blanket solution to the problem, by way of clarification.

[–] callcc 2 points 6 months ago

My chicken eat them when they are not too old.