Does anyone keep a gardening diary on MSE?

ukmaggie45

LavenderBees wrote: »

I also wonder if salt alters the composition of the soil? Does it matter if it does? Both these solutions sound more :money: than buying slug pellets at £5 a bottle. Also, the pellets are chemicals so must be changing the composition of the soil.

Any Chemists reading this to give me advice?? :rotfl:

When I start planting properly in March, I'll try some experiments, I think. Egg shells and salt being a LOT cheaper than pellets, and somehow more palatable to me, as I'd prefer not to spray or anything.

Salt is a no-no for soil. The Romans used to punish populations by salting their fields so that nothing would grow. :eek:

LavenderBees

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Salt is a no-no for soil. The Romans used to punish populations by salting their fields so that nothing would grow. :eek:

Oh! :eek:That must have taken some huge amounts of salt :eek:

I did also think yesterday that rain would presumably wash the salt away.

I need to do more research I think.

LB xx

LavenderBees

Okey dokey - no salt to be used on the soil itself.

Having re-read Suffolk Lass' post from yesterday, I've realised she has suggested salt on the paths not the soil...a subtle but distinct difference :eek:.

So, thanks UKMaggie, you've saved me from causing myself a problem - apparently, salt-affected soils will probably inhibit seed germination and cause poor plant growth.

Best avoided then

So, maybe it's the egg shells and beer traps then...:)

ukmaggie45

Or you could try nematodes. We've had success with them in the past, but I think it was just too wet this summer and so they drowned... Just google Nemaslug.

Rummer

Just a wee MSE tip while you are saving up to get your cloches plastic drinks bottles are a cheap alternative. We use them every year to aid our seedlings along when we plant them out. Just cut the bottoms off and take the caps off and they are good to go

LavenderBees

Rummer wrote: »

Just a wee MSE tip while you are saving up to get your cloches plastic drinks bottles are a cheap alternative. We use them every year to aid our seedlings along when we plant them out. Just cut the bottoms off and take the caps off and they are good to go

Yes, thanks! I've done this in a past gardening life, but now I don't use anything with plastic bottles :cool:...does this keep the slugs off, do you think? or just protect from the elements?

Either way, I can ask at work and see if people can bring their used bottles in for me

LavenderBees

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Or you could try nematodes. We've had success with them in the past, but I think it was just too wet this summer and so they drowned... Just google Nemaslug.

Have done :T

I have to say the idea of nematodes slightly creeps me out :rotfl: and pictures of slugs make me feel physically sick ...and the thought of these microscopic things being in my fridge..well, words fail me :eek:.

But I will be brave, and put it on my calendar to order some in March/April, I'll give them a go. Hope mine can swim...:rotfl:

ukmaggie45

LavenderBees wrote: »

I have to say the idea of nematodes slightly creeps me out :rotfl: and pictures of slugs make me feel physically sick ...and the thought of these microscopic things being in my fridge..well, words fail me :eek:.

But I will be brave, and put it on my calendar to order some in March/April, I'll give them a go. Hope mine can swim...:rotfl:

Don't worry about your fridge! The things come very well sealed. It just looks like rather wet clay, you mix it in water and use a watering can with a rose with largish holes to apply - I think the stuff actually is clay, so it would block up a fine rose. Have to say that the idea of nematodes rather creeps me out too - shades of "Alien"! :eek: BTW most of the places that sell them do a slightly cheaper deal if you order 3 packs to be delivered over time, have a feeling that they come 6 weeks apart, but have a look when it comes time to order.

Really must get organised on the nematode front as have bad fungus gnat infestation in plants in the utility room, and you can get nematodes for them too! I was reading up about it before Xmas, think I also have to have yellow sticky paper and another kind of bio control as well!

LavenderBees

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Don't worry about your fridge! The things come very well sealed. It just looks like rather wet clay, you mix it in water and use a watering can with a rose with largish holes to apply - I think the stuff actually is clay, so it would block up a fine rose. Have to say that the idea of nematodes rather creeps me out too - shades of "Alien"! :eek: BTW most of the places that sell them do a slightly cheaper deal if you order 3 packs to be delivered over time, have a feeling that they come 6 weeks apart, but have a look when it comes time to order.

Really must get organised on the nematode front as have bad fungus gnat infestation in plants in the utility room, and you can get nematodes for them too! I was reading up about it before Xmas, think I also have to have yellow sticky paper and another kind of bio control as well!

Thanks for this extra information. i'll try these on one part of the allotment, and pellets on the other side, and see what I think. I've also started saving my eggshells....I'd rather not waste beer! :rotfl:

Had a restless night last night, dreaming of slugs, then came down this morning to find a slug in the living room :eek:

Rummer

How is the slug situation?