Posted by nodosa on 2015-06-04 17:11:55 UTC

Hi there,

so like many gardeners in the northern half of France, I've been falling from grace these past few weeks due to the slug epidemic. I kid you not. There is not enough ferramol, beer traps, sawdust filled trenches or mulch sheeting to keep them off of my crops. Since the end of the month of April they have ravaged my eggplant, bell pepper, zucchinis, kuri squash, sunflowers, radishes and multiple melon seedlings (arguably the most frustrating considering how tough these can be to grow north of the Loire).

Having tried multiple combined methods to thwart their hunger, and failing every time. I have invested in planters and pots. From 0,5L for the aromatic herbs to 10L for tomatoes, squash and nutrient and space demanding species. I set them out first thing in the morning when I get up and bring them back in the safety of the shed sometime after sunset. And it is working : squash, zucchini and melon are growing tall enough to bear their first fruit and flowers. I'll have to wait a few extra weeks to know for the butternuts and round zucchinis.

I have basil, coriander, parsley, strawberry spinach and radishes in half liter pots and thriving. Round carrots do quite well in 1L pots for now and my tomatoes are in 5L.

It is certainly an adjustment to my original plans but I refuse to give up growing in the first year, though I'm not pig-headed enough to keep doing the same thing and wonder why nothing works.

The slugs have even climbed my baby goji bushes and eaten off the leaves. it is the only bush out of a dozen varieties that I grow that they have assaulted. The only thing they seem to leave alone are the peas. I have put absolutely no protection around them but they are still unscathed. mystery mystery.

Other than that I'm currently harvesting flowers, I'm working my way through the fragrant sage flowers and soft rosa caninas. I'm sensing a princess bath and maybe even a good herbal tea blend in the future.

have a great one. Love and meows.

Nx