Fruit, Veg or Composting?

[taff]

slugs will stil hide underneath rhubarb leaves, so don't use them as a mulch near anything you want to keep.
I found some yesterday [it's after 12] so I know of what I speak...good bye french beans, I really wanted to keep you, but it twas not to be....better get the next lot sown then...

[veggiechicken]

Snails seem to enjoy feasting on rhubarb leaves. Mine look like lace curtains with just the odd snail face peeping through to give advance warning that they're about to be plucked and chucked

[donnakebab]

I made rhubarb crumble yesterday.

I put the leaves on my heap.

[Nicos]

**As BM didn't know he said ()....

Quote ....."be aware that in some countries, like the UK it is illegal to make homemade insecticides or organic pest control. So always check with your local council to stay on the right side of the law."

Here is the wonderful site which I took that very interesting quote from! ... ( it's well worth a read- just SUCH a pity peeps in the UK can't do this! )

Organic Pesticides, Homemade Pesticides and Insecticides for Natural Pest Control

[Two_Sheds]

slugs will stil hide underneath rhubarb leaves, so don't use them as a mulch

Or, use that to your advantage.

It's like the old grapefruit trick ~ give them something to hide under during the day (I use planks of wood) then turn them out and dispatch them (I use salt). I got 148 last night in the drizzle too

[veggiechicken]

**As BM didn't know he said ()....

Quote ....."be aware that in some countries, like the UK it is illegal to make homemade insecticides or organic pest control. So always check with your local council to stay on the right side of the law."

Here is the wonderful site which I took that very interesting quote from! ... ( it's well worth a read- just SUCH a pity peeps in the UK can't do this!

Organic Pesticides, Homemade Pesticides and Insecticides for Natural Pest Control

Thank you Nicos - that's a very interesting read. I'm just so glad that Cane Toads aren't a problem here

[Matt94]

I'm just so glad that Cane Toads aren't a problem here

And im glad im not a cane toad in australia - imagine being used as a golf ball, then being covered in detol

[veggiechicken]

You're safe with us Matt

[Nicos]

And im glad im not a cane toad in australia - imagine being used as a golf ball, then being covered in detol

Nope- not very humane is it?

[Bigmallly]

Steep leaves in container and use smelly water for brassicas, Cabbage White Butterflies go elsewhere as they dont like the smell. Reapply coating after heavy rain as it will wash the smelly coating off. Just as a point of interest my cats stayed well away from a acccidental spill area for ages, so now use it to surround newly planted plants in border as it masks the smell of turned earth.
All the best to all,
Fred P

Thanks for your reply Fred, not sure if you read my original post but I am trying to ascertain if when rotted down separately, it can be used on my blueberries due to the acid content.

[snohare]

You're safe with us Matt

Yes, we all club together on this forum...

Good tip about the smelly leaves, but any particular ones ? I wonder if my homemade Liquid Gold fertiliser would have the same effect...high in nitrogen/urea, but I normally avoid putting it on the plants...

At a guess, molluscs will like the rhubarb leaves if they have high levels of calcium in them, as a lot of their biochemical energy goes into the calcium-rich slime in their trails - it is a vital chemical messaging system they use to navigate to and from foods etc. So any food that helps them create it will be popular.