difficult patch, any idea

[jacob]

I've got a 3 foot square patch in my garden that I'm not sure what to do with. It hasn't got much going for it. It's shady and tends to get overrun with slugs, so anything small gets gobbled.

Any bright ideas what I can stick in there. At the moment there's some struggling lettuce and a big ol' parsley, plus some radishes that have forgotten to swell.

[VirginVegGrower]

How about a sniper with a slug gun?!

[eirish]

Lemon balm or mint? In my garden, either the slugs leave them alone or they can grow faster than the slugs can gobble. The slugs don't seem to go for rocket either - all my lettuce and spinach in the same area has either failed to germinate or been hoovered by slimeys, but the rocket is fine.

[veggiechicken]

3 foot square - I'd put a fruit bush there. Most of them don't mind a bit of shade and they'd be up out of the way of the slugs.

[Florence Fennel]

Interesting observation about the rocket there. I'd be tempted to site a dalek or a compost heap there.

[jacob]

Thanks for the suggestions (keep 'em coming). The compost heaps and dalek are nearby in an even shadier spot. Fruit bush might be an idea, but I think I'll have another go at the rocket.

I planted some from seed there earlier in the year, but not much came of it, but I might bring some on in a pot, then plant out. As eirish says the slugs aren't keen on it. It's also tough and once established stays put. I know this as I'm still eating from what was supposed to be an end of year space filler from two years ago which currently supplies as much as we can eat, but is kind of in the way!

[hamesy]

Lemon balm or mint? In my garden, either the slugs leave them alone or they can grow faster than the slugs can gobble. The slugs don't seem to go for rocket either - all my lettuce and spinach in the same area has either failed to germinate or been hoovered by slimeys, but the rocket is fine.

Opposite for me, the slugs have pretty much destroyed my rocket

[eirish]

Opposite for me, the slugs have pretty much destroyed my rocket

You must have some posh foodie slugs down there then. Mind you, mine seem to be going for the viola petals at the moment!

[shona_b]

how about rhubarb? doesn't seem to be bothered by slugs and i think it doesn't mind a bit of shade either.