Sunflowers.

[carolinej]

I was a bit cross with myself for not getting round to planting sunflowers in the lottie. Yesterday I noticed a lovely little crop of self seeded ones ;D

Last year, I grew giant, medium and mini ones, so they could be anything ::) I dont mind though ;D

cj :)

[carolinej]

[manicscousers]

watch out for slugs, caroline..our self seeded ones have been decimated  ;D

[GrannieAnnie]

watch out for slugs, caroline..our self seeded ones have been decimated  ;D

Yup- lost half of ours

[Pinkwellies]

Arg!!!!  We lost lots of ours too - it's my first year growing stuff, and I faithfully grew + re-potted & hardened off some beauties, then this morning I check around and find some OK, and others a mere stick!!  Boooooo!  Have put some eggshells around the bases of the ones that are left, hope I get a few flowers at least!!
Commiserations on your losses, everyone, I can sympathise.
Pinky

[GrannieAnnie]

Tried the eggshell barrier bit one year but found it hopeless. But we get driving hard rains here (just had 2 1/2 inches +) so the slugs may swim across!

[carolinej]

Will take emergency slug measures ;D

cj :)

[manicscousers]

we use the'cut off pop bottle' method, it works until the bottle collar falls over and takes the sunflower with it  ;D

[posie]

No idea if this will work but a guy up the lottie suggested a ring of soot around plants to ward off the slugs - anyone tried this  ???

[honeybee]

I always use the pop bottle method too, just make sure you fit it deep into the soil, it keeps off the slugs and doubles as a mini greenhouse, fantastic, two for the price of one  ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

Soot is an old Victorian, maybe older, method, but I don't know how effective it is.