The Saint

Slugs and Snails

Slugs and Snails

I have a major infestation!  I squashed 100s in the last few days.  I go out in the morning & lift them & then again in the evening, but one day I even went out in the dark at midnight & got about 100, and that was after two major collections earlier!  In fairness they've been kept at bay, possibly cuz it's been so dry, but my focus has been on my veg patch.  My flowers have been munched to the ground!  I've just ordered nemaslug from Amazon, cuz I've loads of stuff to go in the ground, but I'm afraid the slugs will have it all stripped before I can get enough coffee grounds to protect them.  Have to say, coffee grounds are the most effective thing I've used next to ash from the fire.  The benefit of coffee grounds is that they'll fertilize the soil, where the ash won't unless it's pure wood ash.  The drawback of coffee grounds is that it can form an impenetrable barrier that hinders water getting to the plant.

Very sick fuscia

Well there are leatherjackets & vine weevils in my garden, but no other plants are effected.  I've also noticed that the cuttings I planted out the back garden which were also flourishing are starting to exhibit similar symptoms, but those that are still in pots are fine.  It does suggest it's something in the soil, but I must reiterate that these are wild fuscia and very very hardy.  We've had no frosts in my area since March as I'm on the coast, so it's definitely not frost damage.  Is there something out there that specifically attacks fuscia?

Very sick fuscia

Talkback: Growing onions: seeds versus sets

Well, so far my sets are outdoing my seeds, but I'm hoping that I get the same result as billm!!

Very sick fuscia

I planted some fuscia last year that I grew from cuttings.  It's a very hardy fuscia that grows wild in our Irish hedgerows.  Three of the plants that I planted grew really well last year and are well up, but two of them seemed to really fail going into the winter.  They started putting on new growth this spring and seemed to bounce back, but all of a sudden the leaves just died off, in fact I thought the sheep that sometimes wander in had eaten them!  Now the one that was doing extremely well has started dying.  The other two now look dried up and dead.  The stems have become brittle, although they are still green inside.  I can't understand it, as everything else around them is doing well.  Any thoughts?

Fertiliser

If you live near the sea collect some seaweed and make your own by covering in about twice its volume of water in a dark bin or covered bucket for about 6 weeks.  If not collect fresh nettles & submerge in water for 2 - 3 weeks.  Put about a cupful into a watering can and voila!  My veggies loved it last year. 

Peace Lily

I have a peace lily that ive had for years & it's beautiful.  Firstly make sure it isn't pot-bound.  I keep mine well watered as it doesn't like drying out, and once the leaves go brown it's not nice.  From time to time I've over-watered & it's ended up sitting in water, but it's taken no harm, but it's not good to let it sit in water.  For my money it likes more water than less.  Mine has 3 flower spikes at present & the leaves are lovely & glossy.

Welcome to the fruit & veg forum

Fantastic tips from everyone!  What a brill idea to grow the carrots in a bag!  Never thought of it, & even though I could build Newgrange (or Stonehenge) with the stone from my garden, I think I can still have a go at parsnips using the 'old-timer's' method.  Many thanks from everyone.  

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Very sick fuscia