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I am pretty green...I always try to reduce, reuse, recycle. Most people should have this or something similar around their house, so this project should cost you $5 or less, unless you go crazy with decorations.
I had the plastic slug traps you can buy online, but after a summer in the sun the plastic was brittle and they started breaking. I needed something that could stand being out in the sun and not fall apart, because my slugs are not going away, I have too much wet and too many places for them to hide.
I had tons of 4 inch terra cotta pots...and I hate planting annuals and most perennials just don't do well in 4 inch pots.
I also do a lot of parties during the summer and buy the plastic silverware in bulk from Costco (similiar to Sams) and the forks and spoons always get used but not the knives.
I had some extra plastic glasses left from last summer and found they fit perfectly in the 4 inch pot.
If you want to be super green you could have a party, keep the cups and silverware, was them and then use them for your trap.
I had some extra plates that were just sitting around.
So...I took three knives and broke them so when I put them in the pot they stuck past about a half inch. On the test ones I didn't glue them, but I will when I make the finals.This gives the slugs a gap to crawl in.
Then put the cup in, the cup will hold the knives, but when you pull the cup out to empty it, the knives fall over, thus the glue.
I buried mine in the garden as you can see. I didn't put it in all the way, because I am on a hill, and when it rains, I didn't want it to flow in. So plant to desired depth for your yard.
Fill the cup part way with beer and put on the plate. The rain doesn't get in, but the slugs do.Then you can empty the cup and refill with beer as needed.
Here's a picture of the test one, sorry about the gross slugs, but at least you know it does work.
I was thinking of mosaicing the plate or putting glass balls on it, little creatures, or finding bowls or cups and planting plants on top. I am sure all of you are creative enough to find wonderful ways to decorate so they blend into your garden as art.
Hope this helps you poor souls with slug problems.
So I took some pictures of the garden and uploaded them to a new album named April...some of the plants are really filling in, and others don't show up so well. I do have a few bare spots to fill in, but most of the flower sales start next weekend, so I don't think it will be a problem.
Rhubarb anyone? It has only taken a week for it to go crazy.
My hubby built this arbor last year and we have kiwi growing up it...the female grew like crazy and the male was slow...
Here are my mason bee houses...they are hatching and putting in new ones like crazy.
Here's
my test slug trap, I am going to put something decorative on top of the plate, but they seem to work perfectly. So I will be making more and spreading them throught the garden. I have several very slug damaged plants. I am going garage saling tomorrow to see if I can find some stuff to put on the top for decoration.
It turned out to be a beautiful day, and we are supposed to have several more in a row. It is so great for the soul!
Hope everyone had a wonderful day and happy gardening!
Oh...the call of the sun...it seems no matter where you are or what you are doing it calls to you...seems to infect you with a joy and need to escape. Nothing is more satisfying than giving in and going out to enjoy, if only for a few minutes. I remind myself it is healthy to give in...even just for a few minutes. In order to get the right amount of vitamin D you need 15 minutes of sunshine 3 times a week, and this week I think I am working on excess...which is all right by me.
Of course now the outside looks better than the inside though. I have kept on top of weeding, I have all the plants I have received, swapped for and divided planted and they are rejoicing in their new homes. The holes caused by the plants that didn't make it through the terrible winter are getting smaller. I still have a list of plants I want and a list of plant sales coming up.
I need to make sure that the garden is full and beautiful before July...our local garden club is scheduled to tour my garden in July. Everyone considers me a plant addict and I can't let them down.
After I get the plants filled in it will be time to fill in the yard art. Right now I am working on new slug traps that are art as well. Once I get them perfected I will take a picture. I have 2 tests ones in the yard now, and the concept seems to catch those little suckers. In just one night one of the tests had more than 10. I need to do some garage saling this weekend to pick up some more stuff.
Hope everyone has a great day and gets some vitamin D.
I wake and greet the new day. It's Easter...although any bunnies out today will be getting wet. Speaking of bunnies, I think they are the one thing I just haven't seen in my garden. I live in the suburbs and we have a lot of wooded area around us. We do get frequent visits from the grey squirrels, raccoons, and coyotes. Along with all the neighborhood cats...they like to try to get the birds...but no bunnies and no deer. Although we really aren't in a place you find deer, too little habitat, too many people.
Although before we get too excited about no bunnies or deer, the main enemies of a gardener I will tell you, since I have natural streams in my backyard the slug population is out of conrol. When you plant shop a lot of times they will tell you if a plant is deer resistant, but you never find anything that says if they are slug resistant. I don't know how many plants I have brought home, planted and checked on the next morning and they were a late night snack.
My husband made me slug rings, because the ones you buy...they are a joke, so lightweight and hard to get to stay anywhere. So once I know if the slugs like a plant or not they get a ring. I tried the whole slug bait thing...doesn't work...the stupid crows think it is food. I do have containers with beer and that works, but they aren't the prettiest things in the world and the slug remains are gross.
Yesterday I planted my new dahlias. Every year the NW Flower and garden show falls on my birthday. So my hubby buys me flowers...the correct kind, that I can plant, not the ones that die in a vase. I have always had a love of dahlias, so this year that is what I got. There are several great growers out here, but this year I picked Connell's Dahlia's They had some that I had never seen.
Here's what I planted: Nicosia, Odyssey, Addison June, Jack O'Lantern, Sheabird, Amy's Star, Black Narcissus, Show-N-Tell, Unforgettable, Summer Breeze, Shadow Cat, Tomo, Pinelands Peace AND My Beverly. I bought My Beverly, because that was the name of my grandmother, and she loved gardening and she died last year.
In my garden I have plants I remember being in my mother and grandmother's gardens when I was growing up, as well as plants that are named after them. My garden really started as a tribute and it is a great way to remember my loved ones.
My dog died last Sunday, he lost his battle with kidney disease. He was my constant companion in the garden. Writing my blog this week has helped me a lot. I miss him greatly. His remains were cremated and he is ready for pick up today. He will also be memorialized in the garden. I bought a heucera, Fireworks, which reminded me of his color, and planted that yesterday. We picked up garden stakes that say Laugh and Love to mark his place in the garden. We loved him so much and he was always making us laugh, he was a smiling, happy goof.
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