SLUGgish start to garden

Nice weather we’re having: if you’re a slug!

The YEC garden has had a rough couple of weeks. The early start that we got on the beets and beans has been undone by a small army of slugs that have taken up residence in the garden. All wet and no sun creates ideal conditions for these mostly aqueous critters. We discovered on Sunday that they had leveled the tender beet shoots completely: not a trace left behind. And, they were making their way, plant by plant, through the bean bed.

Slugs are tough to combat.  Here’s a summary of some of the known slug-control methods: http://www.weekendgardener.net/how-to/snails-slugs.htm

Tracy made a slug deterrent spray based on a Jerry Baker recipe. She sprayed the remaining beans and the other plants that are still standing. We’ll see how that works. If that does not work, we’ll set some beer traps. I’m told that slugs will turn up their tentacles at cheap beer: I guess we’ll have to sacrifice a microbrew or two.

Even before we discovered the slug fest, the rain and wet beds had been slowing down progress on planting. We have some ground to make up, so we plan to put on a big push this Sunday.  If you can help us replant what was lost and continue to get the garden going, please come by any time between 11am – 2pm. Be sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting mucky.