Holiday slug massacre.

[ameno]

Just got back from a two week holiday and had a wonder round my garden and allotment.
Most stuff is growing well, and I'm pleasantly surprised with the progress, especially the sweet potatoes and cucumbers in my conservatory, and the peas outside.

However, the slugs have been having a free-for-all with certain crops. I lost two sweetcorn plants, two beans, all of my young radishes, the swede are stripped (but should hopefully recover, as the terminal buds are still intact), and one pepper plant gone.
Worst of all, though, I lost all eight of my squash plants. I've put some more seeds to pre-germinate in my hated propagator. I realise it's about 3 weeks past the recommended last sowing date, but I figure it's worth a try, at least.

[Scarlet]

I feel your pain - I have a rabbit or two eating everything in sight coupled with pigeons I'm not having much luck.

I'm thinking I need a walk in fruit cage.

[Bren In Pots]

I lost all eight of my squash plants. I've put some more seeds to pre-germinate in my hated propagator. I realise it's about 3 weeks past the recommended last sowing date, but I figure it's worth a try, at least.

I've lost 2 of my courgettes to slugs and like you I've re-sown them with how odd the UK is I don't think sowing this late will be a problem.

[Cadalot]

Just how do slugs and snails get into the greenhouse? I've been on patrol and found one little bugger who ate one butternut squash and started to attack the next like a lumberjack

[ameno]

I've lost 2 of my courgettes to slugs and like you I've re-sown them with how odd the UK is I don't think sowing this late will be a problem.

Oh, there's definitely time for courgettes.
Squash takes rather longer to mature and ripen, though. If I'm lucky, I should still get a crop. Last year, one of my squash didn't pollinate until the end of August, and it still managed to almost ripen by the time the plant started dying.

[Tripmeup]

As bad a year as I have seen for slugs in quite a few years.
Also finding more slugs in the greenhouses than I normally would..off on holidays soon; just imagining the damage they will do in my absence

[Jungle Jane]

Can you cover the land in crushed eggshells,sand,set beer traps undercover in case of rain,have good defence,have a great holiday & try not to think about it when you’re away. I went on holiday one year,I’d set up the auto waterer but then it rained nearly everyday we were away,I was thinking about my plants overwatered everyday,some plants were on trays & sitting in deep water when I returned but I don’t remember anything bad except a snail had eaten my only melon.

[Scarlet]

Squash takes rather longer to mature and ripen, though. If I'm lucky, I should still get a crop.

I've rarely started off seeds until mid May, a little later sowing doesn't make that much difference. They soon catch up.
What variety are you growing? Lots of varieties are labeled up as direct sow from late May to mid June.

[ameno]

Lost two more pepper plants. Only three left, now.

Can you cover the land in crushed eggshells,sand,set beer traps undercover in case of rain,have good defence,have a great holiday & try not to think about it when you’re away. I went on holiday one year,I’d set up the auto waterer but then it rained nearly everyday we were away,I was thinking about my plants overwatered everyday,some plants were on trays & sitting in deep water when I returned but I don’t remember anything bad except a snail had eaten my only melon.

Ha ha ha! I'd have to dig moats around my plants to make any difference at all where I am.
I have never found physical barriers to work. Egg shells, copper tape, spikes, coffer grounds - none of them work. And trying to reduce their numbers by traps, hand-picking, etc. is a futile endeavour, too. For ever one I kill, another takes its place.

For me, slug pellets are really the only option. Sadly, they won't last two rainy weeks. They'll all be gone by the end of week one, leaving the plants prone in the second week.

I've rarely started off seeds until mid May, a little later sowing doesn't make that much difference. They soon catch up.
What variety are you growing? Lots of varieties are labeled up as direct sow from late May to mid June.

Marina di chioggia.
I could sow them direct, but they'll grow quicker if I start them off in a heated propagator, plus fresh squash seedlings will be taken by slugs immediately.

[Stan79]

I’ve had fewer slugs this year than normal. I used more beer traps than normal too and put them out earlier than I normally would too... at the advice of my six year old! Maybe that’s done the trick for me this year?!?!