Slugs in New Potatoes

[Plot22]

This year I am disappointed with my early potatoes. I only grow Lady Crystal ( 3 rows ) Firstly the Allotment association had no seed so I bought from T & M ( PP free deal ) . Then the frosts held them back . I set them normal depth on a good bed of farm yard maure wth a big helping of slug pellets. They have now reached a good size but much fewer potatoes than normal but many of them  have slug infestation. When I am digging them up I can actually see the tiny slugs coming out of the larger potatoes. I think it was the long dry spell when the ground is so dry that the slugs go for any moisture i.e. my Lady Crystal . I hope they have not infested my lates ( Valour, Maris Piper & Desiree) which are next to them on the plot.

[Plot22]

[queenbee]

Hi plot22,

I do not have too much trouble with slug damage as a few weeks before planting I cover the bed with black plastic, I usually use black plastic bags as this is the cheapest way. Before I lay the plastic I put down plenty of slug pellets and as the soil heats up the little b.......rs come up to the surface. Result hundreds of dead slugs. It has worked for me for many years.

[1066]

Welocme to A4A plot22  :) And what a shame about the Lady Chrystl! For me this dry weather has played havoc with the yields. But Queenbee - that is a cracking scheme you have there, fortunatley I haven't suffered too much from slug damage, just the odd one, but I'll remember that trick!!

1066  :)