After winter sowing Joe Pye Weed for four years, last year they finally germinated and in the fall I placed them out in the gardens. I have 6 plants in various spots. Two were plnted close to the hosta gardens and this spring were constantly being devoured by the slugs in a small new garden area. Unable to get the slugs - lots of rocks, at the edge of woodlands - I decided to place some ice cream containers around them. I cut the bottom off a 2 litre container and set it in the ground about 2 inches deep around the plants. Then I took some used coffee grounds and spread them inside and outside the container about 1/2 inch thick and sprayed the nubs and area with cold coffee leftover from the morning pot.

A few days later I returned and the plants are shooting up no problem. Their growth is amazing, one stem being 4 inches! The slugs haven't touched them. Either they are too lazy to climb the plastic container or they are being deterred by the coffee grounds. As soon as I feel they are big enough to handle anything that comes their way, I'll be taking the container off and mixing the UCGs in with the soil in the area.

Just a thought for those who might have the same problem.