Slugs are a bit of a pest: eating your new flowers and fruits - often not leaving enough of the plant to allow it to try to grow again.
And while you won’t be able to rid of them forever, there are a few things you can do to stop them destroying your garden.
1. Water plants in the morning
Slugs love the damp ground so try to water your plants mid-morning so the ground is dry before nightfall. This should hopefully keep the slugs at bay.
2. Avoid using organic mulch
Steer clear of spreading grass clippings or straw around your beds - slugs LOVE this kind of stuff and will swarm towards it.
3. Grow a few herbs
Slugs don't like ginger, chive or mint and are a great way to deter them from your garden. Plant a few in your beds and watch them scurry away...
4. Opt for some bitter green vegetables
As well as certain herbs, slugs are not particularly keen on bitter green vegetables like kale or spring cabbage so plant a few of these around your garden. Not only will they keep the pests at bay, they will also be a great addition to your dinner!
5. Encourage birds to your garden
Birds are natural predators and love a good aul slug to munch on; encourage them into your garden with food or a bird bath, and in return they'll keep the slugs away.
6. Make use of copper strips
Protect your plants by putting a strip of copper around raised beds, pots and plants in the ground. Make sure the copper is wide enough that the slug can’t bridge it.
