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General => Top Tips => Topic started by: GrannieAnnie on May 21, 2010, 17:29:14

Title: Slug-free seedlings
Post by: GrannieAnnie on May 21, 2010, 17:29:14
Problem: the slugs eat the seed leaves off as soon as seeds germinate outside. So now, when I plant my bean seeds/squash seeds/ cucumber seeds/ flower seeds etc outside I try to surround them immediately by pressing a small  recycled yogurt cup / plastic cup with the bottom cut out or a loo roll into the ground. This seems to foil the slugs at least until the seed leaves appear. They stand a better chance at surviving.

Just make sure you haven't caged a little slug IN when you shove the cup into the soil. ;D
Title: Re: Slug-free seedlings
Post by: Sally A on May 31, 2010, 21:02:46
The centre from a 2 litre pop bottle works well too, and you can cut it off when the plant out grows it.
Title: Re: Slug-free seedlings
Post by: davyw1 on May 31, 2010, 21:10:32
I think if they can get down to your spuds they will have no problem getting under your tubes to your veg..
Title: Re: Slug-free seedlings
Post by: Sally A on May 31, 2010, 21:41:43
Different sort of slugs, the small black "keelers" I think I've heard them called, live under ground, but the larger surface slugs munch your new leaves.
Title: Re: Slug-free seedlings
Post by: marcusesmum on June 28, 2010, 13:19:40
Quote from: GrannieAnnie on May 21, 2010, 17:29:14
Problem: the slugs eat the seed leaves off as soon as seeds germinate outside. So now, when I plant my bean seeds/squash seeds/ cucumber seeds/ flower seeds etc outside I try to surround them immediately by pressing a small  recycled yogurt cup / plastic cup with the bottom cut out or a loo roll into the ground. This seems to foil the slugs at least until the seed leaves appear. They stand a better chance at surviving.

Just make sure you haven't caged a little slug IN when you shove the cup into the soil. ;D
Title: Re: Slug-free seedlings
Post by: marcusesmum on June 28, 2010, 13:27:01
We had the same problem and then found out about nematodes, type this into google and
go from there hope this helps
yours Lena :)