We don’t mean to add another thing to your to-do list, but April is the time to protect your plants from slugs and snails. Unless, of course, you prefer the look of cut leaves and foliage in summer.
Yes, April is when sprouts appear, seedlings are planted, and borders begin to fill in with fresh, tender growth. Does it all connect to spring rains, though? Well, that creates the perfect environment for it the snail And the snail To feed and multiply – many times before Plants they love There is an opportunity to install properly.
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How to protect your plants from slugs and snails in April
Young shoots, leafy vegetables And newly planted ornamentals are especially vulnerable at this time of year, which is why it’s so important to take care to protect your plants from slugs and snails in April.
“April is when snails and slugs become more active, as warmer temperatures and spring rains create perfect feeding conditions,” says Morris Hankinson, director. Hops Grove Nursery.
Morris is the founder and managing director of Hankinson Hops Grove Nursery Ltd., is the UK’s only specialist manufacturer-retailer of hedging plants. Shortly after graduating with a degree in commercial horticulture from Rittle College, Essex, he established a thriving business in 1992.
Tessa Cobley, plant pest expert and owner Ladybird Plantcareagree ‘Slugs are simple creatures – give them moisture, shelter and something tasty to eat, and they’ll happily burrow in. And if you’ve recently planted tender plants and the weather’s been wet, you’ve rolled out a red carpet for them.’
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to stop these critters in their tracks. Let’s dive in, shall we?
1. Try beneficial nematodes
According to Tessa, the best way to protect your plants from slugs and snails in April is to use beneficials. Nematodes (You can pick up NemaKnights Biological Nematodes at £26.99 Amazon).
‘These are naturally occurring microscopic worms that live in the soil and act as a form of biological pest control, and, when applied to the garden, they actively seek out small slugs in the soil and release a natural bacterium that stops them from feeding,’ she explains.
‘The clever part is that they are highly specific – they only target the pest they are designed for and won’t harm birds, pets, hedgehogs or other gardeners. Wildlife.’
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Tessa adds that nematodes are very easy to apply. ‘Store them in the fridge until you’re ready to use them, then mix the powder with water according to the instructions, and apply the solution to your garden using the same watering can as you water your plants.’
2. Try copper tape and slug rings
Some traditional garden tricks can help protect your plants from slugs and snails in April, but they’re not always a perfect solution.
‘Copper tape (this Copper Slug Tape is my human recommendation, £5.89 on Amazon) or slug rings (like this one Copper Rings Mixed Pack, £28.99 from Amazon) can work well to protect individual pots and containers, as snails avoid crossing the copper barrier. They are particularly useful for patio planters or valuable plants that you want to protect,’ says Tessa.
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Snail rings
Copper plant pot rings
(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Posnjak)
3. Avoid beer traps
According to Tessa, it’s best to avoid beer traps if you want to protect your plants from slugs and snails in April.
‘Beer traps are another commonly suggested solution, but they can sometimes attract more snails to the area,’ she says.
She adds: ‘If slug numbers are already high, it is usually better to deal with the population in the soil using biological methods such as nematodes and then use barriers as an extra line of defense for vulnerable plants.’
FAQs
How do I stop slugs and snails from eating my plants?
If you want to prevent slugs and snails from eating your plants, it’s a good idea to take action in April.
‘This is the time to put up barriers, encourage natural predators and use wildlife-friendly controls to prevent your plants from dying,’ says Morris Hankinson of Hops Grove Nursery.
‘Doing this in April will give your plants a strong start to the growing season before slugs and snails peak later in the season.’
What plants attract snails?
If the plant has soft, juicy leaves, snails are likely to be attracted. Tessa Cobley, plant pest expert and owner of Ladybird Plantcare, says ‘young plants, seedlings and leafy greens are particularly attractive because they are easy to chew and full of moisture’.
‘Garden favorites like hostas and lettuce are classic slug targets, but they are far from the only targets. Plants with tender new growth or fleshy leaves are most at risk,’ she adds, noting that some of the biggest slug magnets include:
Ornamental Plants: Marigolds (tagettes), zinnias, petunias, sweet peas, primroses, hollyhocks and asters.
Vegetables: Lettuce, spinach, cabbage, peas, beans, cucumbers and newly planted seedlings.
Other Favorites: Young shoots of strawberries, basil and many perennials.
‘That said, snails aren’t particularly picky when they’re hungry, so if numbers are high, they’ll happily sample a wide range of plants around the garden,’ concludes Tessa.
See, we get; It’s easy to wait until you discover the damage, but by then, the snail is already one step ahead. Take action in April, when the conditions are only Starting to favor them, puts you back in control and helps protect your plants when they are most vulnerable. Or you can start growing some of these Plants they hate And Which really repels them, To add another layer of protection.
Time to get to work, we say…
