Slugs and Pumpkins

[Grantc93]

Hey Guys and Girls,

I have a plot at my local allotment gardens, I got it late last year and this is the first year properly growing on it.

I have been talking to other plot holders and they have said that the drainage isn't great on the plot. While this I can and have dealt with via trenches and other drainage on my plot, slugs are still a problem. I have some pumpkins that I started early just to try and they are a few that are ready to go out into the big bad world in a few weeks but I worried about the slugs I was thinking of covering them with something like a cut up bottle or something like that but I am not sure if that is great for a pumpkin or not.

Has anyone got any advice on keeping slugs away from plants non chemically? The plot is open plan and I do not want to put any chemicals out that might affect someones plot.

These pumpkins are early and I have plenty of seeds and time to get more going so if they don't work out its not a big deal but I would like to at least learn something that might help my main crop and any other slug prone veg I might plant.

Thanks
Grant

[Snoop Puss]

Hi, Grant. Welcome to the Vine.

Out of interest, where is your allotment? Pumpkins won't like cold nights, so unless you're somewhere very warm, they are likely to suffer if you plant them out now, regardless of potential slug damage. Is it feasible to pot them on into a bigger pot and hold them till the weather conditions improve? Apparently pumpkins and others in the same family (winter squash and courgettes, for example) don't like being pot-bound, so unless they're already in sizeable pots, potting on is probably a good idea.

If they really do have to go in the ground, anything you can put over them that gives them protection and room to grow is a good idea. Don't forget they will need some ventilation as well, so poke some holes in the bottle or leave the lid off.

The other approach you could take as well is to tackle the slugs by putting out beer traps or even upturned pieces of wood or cardboard and then collecting the slugs (and snails) that gather there. Ash sprinkled around the plants is said to act as a deterrent, but it loses its efficacy once it gets wet.

Good luck, whichever approach you take.

[nickdub]

When the pumpkins get too big for their current pots put them in even bigger containers eg a bucket or whatever - really no chance of getting them going outside this time of year, especially with the weather we've been having.

As for the slugs etc, prepare your final planting site by building a bit of a mound out of compost, soil etc , then cover it with the biggest rain-proof thing you have, eg upside down dustbin, big piece of tarpaulin ... The object being to dry that part out as much as possible. If you can build a mini-greenhouse over it, so much the better.

I used to use soot and ashes round stuff I planted out that slugs would get at, but it only works if you can get the top layer of soil dry and keep it dry.

When you plant out your pumpkins keep a few back in containers as spares, then if the first one doesn't make it, you can try again.

[Grantc93]

I am in Northern Ireland so last frost will be sometime between now and next year,
joking aside from what it looks like there will be frost over here well into April, I have pots etc for potting on to keep them indoors a bit longer but mainly the Mrs wants part of the sun room back (I don't have a green house so it has been acquired for starting seeds)

If I lose these ones its no big deal if i do plant them out they will be well covered in a cloche or something like that to keep them warm if the nights turn bad.

I have read about beer traps they seem like a good idea but how long do the last before needing reset?

[bikermike]

What they said, but a couple of other things
1) going round in the dark (or dusk) each day and slug-hunting. You won't catch all, but you'll get some. Also look for the eggs.
2) don't just re-home them, they'll come back. I drown them.
3) could you encourage a frog/hedgehog onto your plot (lots of advice out there on that). Not guaranteed, obviously
4) I use nematode worms, I generally buy 4 applications per year. They are a bit fiddly and not cheap. But they seem to work.
5) if all else fails, as a last resort around newly-planted/germinated stuff, I use organic slug pellets. They are less bad than non-organic ones, I tend to net the area in question to keep children/frogs etc off them. If you only use them once or twice a year, they are not too bad.

[Snoop Puss]

About the beer traps: when there are so many slugs and snails in them that more can't get in, or when the beer's all gone!

(Good excuse to finish an open can )

[Grantc93]

About the beer traps: when there are so many slugs and snails in them that more can't get in, or when the beer's all gone!

(Good excuse to finish an open can )

I didn't think there needed to be an excuse to start or finish a can but if it supply's one as well, then sold.

[Jungle Jane]

If you’re using a plastic cloche over the top you could put a circle of sand round the plants to keep slugs away,it should stay dry?