Our allotments are being challenged regularly by the weather. If it's not the latest named storm trying to blow over our exposed sheds or trying to relocate our greenhouse windows into Bedfordshire, it'll be for some other meteorological reason. Recently, part of my low lying plot was flooded by the persistent rain. All of the parsnips rotted leaving behind rows of empty cavities. Digging them up felt like being an archaeologist in Pompeii. For the coming season and being ever the optimist, I've just sown some watercress and rice seeds! 

The very wet summer and autumn has also led to an explosion in the number of slugs and snails all competing to enjoy our hard-earned, healthy produce. That they are classified as "gastropods" is no coincidence seeing as the very translation means "stomach feet"! How very apt! If only they stayed in the compost heap where they do an admirable job as mini-shredders! This is part of the reason why the Royal Horticultural Society has recently declassified them as pests. 

Some allotmenteers are still unaware that the traditionally used metaldehyde slug pellets are no longer sold in the UK. They are toxic to pets and wildlife, not least to the birds, frogs, toads and hedgehogs that are the natural slug killers. The obsolete pellets have been replaced by lookalike "greener" (yet still blue) pellets which mostly contain ferric phosphate. Although more sustainable to the environment, it is generally accepted that they are not as effective and take longer to work. Additional or alternative measures are often necessary. These are just a few of the many alternative defence methods….. 

A popular home remedy is coffee grounds - preferably used ones! Spread around the plants, these can be a good organic deterrent due to their combination of rough edges and residual caffeine. Surely we can't be short of this resource considering the number of coffee shops that have sprung up in Hitchin! If you're not part of cafe society, crushed eggshells can similarly be used to make their life uncomfortable.  

Slugs and snails will get an unpleasant tingle if they try to cross copper wire or tape. Repurposed copper wire e.g. stripped from a broken extension lead* can been wound around pots and trays etc. to make a simple "ring barrier". [* Please ensure your extension lead is disconnected from the mains before doing this!] 

Although it may seem a waste, beer has long been established as a potent attractant. Used in traps e.g. a partially sunken jar or margarine tub this is a very effective method and is my personal favourite! [N.B. A mock beer mix of yeast, sugar, flour and water can also attract our hungry friends but after a couple of weeks in the sun it can whiff a bit. Actually, a lot more than a bit!].  

Whatever you do, the mild winter and a wet spring will create an ideal environment for slugs and snails to thrive this year.  

So a final message to all growers out there, GET READY!  

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Or in other words "VEG'ilantes, be Vigilant!"   

(I'll get my coat…..)  

Mark Schilling 

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