To follow up on my previous post, I can report that I did order some nematodes a few weeks ago. Application is very easy – the contents of the packet are mixed with a specific volume of water and then you simply water the lot over your garden. I had 6 raised beds to treat and then used the remainder on specific areas of the wider garden where slugs are causing a problem. I planted out 4 echinacea plants that I raised from seed last year, and within 3 days, they were looking very nibbled and sorry for themselves. I also have an open area of a sunny bed where my dahlias will go, so that was a target area to treat also.
So far, things are looking pretty good. I planted out meteor pea seedlings a week ago and there are very few signs of any slug damage on those. The plants have really started to grow well in the recent warm weather and a couple of them are now showing flowers.
So far, things are looking pretty good. I planted out meteor pea seedlings a week ago and there are very few signs of any slug damage on those. The plants have really started to grow well in the recent warm weather and a couple of them are now showing flowers.
And in the greenhouse, where space is a little tight right, I've been pricking out my tomato plants. Hopefully I will have room to move these onto larger pots next month.
I am finding small slugs and snails in the greenhouse still – maybe hitchhiking in on the bottom of a pot? It's not all bad news though as the chickens are making short work of these as a breakfast treat!
A pity nematodes are not indigenous. Trouble is them living inn the soil means snails avoid them and we have lots of snails.
ReplyDeleteThese nematodes are indigenous to the UK - they just don't reproduce fast enough to deal with an exploding population of slugs, so introducing a huge number of them into a selected area is an effective biological control. Agree re the snails though. It's a pity you can't order up a packet of dehydrated hedgehogs to release!
DeleteGlad to hear that they seem to be working for you. I reckon it's been a good winter for slugs with it being mild so they'll be out in force this year.
ReplyDeleteSo far so good, Jo. The echinacea seem to be recovering well since the initial onslaught. Keeping my fingers crossed for when the dahlias go out.
DeleteThanks for this lesson
ReplyDeleteThat's why I love gardening blogs Endah - I'm always learning something new.
DeleteI've just lost a couple of courgettes - possibly I planted them out too soon - so I'm really interested to read that nematodes seem to have worked for you. I've sprinkled a few organic slug pellets around which all seem to get eaten but those baby slugs keep getting bigger!
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies Caro - I lost about 3 courgette/pumpkin plants to slugs last year. The nematode treatment is supposed to last 6 weeks: I expect that's the incubation time for slug eggs, of which I'm finding loads in my homemade compost.
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