Rhubarb, bushes, and egg shells

[Gadget]

Hi all,

Hope everyone got out in the lovely sunshine this weekend 8), I know it is Rhubarb season, when do I know when to pull it, does it need to be a certain length?

I have what looks like 4 red/black or white current bushes - when should I start netting them up? I do have another bush which I think could be raspberry, it has spiky hairy stems with buds growing at 2" intervals any ideas?

My spuds are in, and even Alan down the end commented on how good my rows were and even complimented me on trying to get my compost heap in some sort of order, (secretly suspect my compost heap has been used by everyone including him!). Question in respect of spuds and seeds, has anyone tried egg shells as preventative measure against slugs and has it been a success or does everyone agree that slug pellets are the only way forward? need to know this before the otherhalf arrives home with 3,000 egg shells :-\ (in catering).
Cheers guys and look forward to your comments.  :)

[Gadget]

[Strawberrygirl]

lol i don't suppose 3000 egg shells will do any harm, even if they don't work!  Sorry not able to advise though, just thought it was funny.    If your OH is in catering though, get him to bring home coffee grinds as i am told they are good for encouraging worms!

[Digeroo]

I am not a great egg shell fan.  The white specks on the soil look like litter and they can take quite a time to rot down.  Now coffee that is a different matter, they are supposed to deter the slugs as well.

[pumkinlover]

I only tried them once to deter slugs- didn't work.
Now we dry them then grind up in a pestle and mortar and add to compost heap- if they are not small they last for ever. mind you we do 2-5 at a time when we eat eggs. Not sure about 3000  :-\ :-\ :-\!

Lots of other methods for getting rid of slugs though- if you want to avoid the blue pellets!

[Gadget]

Thank's guys, I think OH will delighted that he doesn't need to drag 3000 eggs on a train, can't wait to tell him about the coffee grinds! ;)

[BarriedaleNick]

I'd let Rhubarb get a bit of growth on it before pulling any stalks but if it is an established plant you can start taking when you want to.  12"-18" would be ok but dont pull every stalk at once...
Netting fruit - you only need to do this once they are in actual fruit so no rush there..

[Gadget]

Thanks on the Rhubarb I can leave that another week for sure and good news re the netting..

[sazhig]

I've found egg shells work...but only at first. After a while they get softer and the slugs & snails don't seem too bothered by them so you end up reapplying. We go through at least 6 per day but even that isn't really enough to protect everything...so if you have a hefty regular supply it might be worth it!

[antipodes]

3000 in one go seems a lot! But I just chuck them on the compost and when the compost is ready they are still there, and i just squash them into the ground when I dig it in. It's  natural compound, I can't see it doing any harm. Maybe just a few at a time would be better though, like a carrier bag full?? just put them on and then break them up a bit with the shovel. They get worn and fragile in the compost even if they don't break down completely.

[lincsyokel2]

Interestingly, the main use of coffee grounds in India is to soak up puddles of elephant wee.

[saddad]

Interestingly, the main use of coffee grounds in India is to soak up puddles of elephant wee.

You'll need a lot of coffee grounds then...  ::)

[Gadget]

 linksyokel2 - How would you know that? Lol excellent bit of trivia though! may drop it into my next budget meeting just to check that they are listening to me.... :)

[Gadget]

Coffee grounds work, have not had one slug near...I'm lucky my OH is in catering so he gets hold of the old grounds and brings them home...

However, if anyone wants to try, speak with your local cafe, pub and they will be really happy to donate.

Eggshells not so good and you were right Digeroo they look a mess.