I used beer in a tuna can. About half full. The slugs crawl in at night and can't get out. You dump it in the morning and repeat. Diatchemus earth (I can't spell it right!) works. I read about using crushed up egg shells around the plants. I've never tried it.

Slugs and snails are the number 1 vegetable pest for UK gardeners. Egg shells, grit, beer traps, etc. barely have any effect in my experience. Diatomaceous earth isn't much used in the UK for gardening purposes, and since it stops working once it's wet it is pretty much doomed to fail here. The only way I get brassicas to grow healthily is by using slug pellets.

Mushibu - it's too late now but you could have had a lot of brassicas growing right now and being harvested. All the various kales, purple sprouting, sprouts, winter cabbages, etc are all winter hardy here. So is Swiss chard. Once you can get over the gastropods (BTW nets have no effect on them) some of them are about the easiest crops to grow here. This year I would suggest aiming for having something to harvest all year round, not just in the summer.

Very soon it will be time to sow broad beans and peas outdoors. I will be starting a few lettuces inside in a couple of weeks ready to transplant outside under a cloche in late February. Soon after that you can sow some parsnips and leeks.

Another really easy and heavy cropper, but started later, is runner beans.

I believe you ordered the RHS book the Vegetable Garden displayed or something similar. That will give you a month by month list of what to sow/transplant/harvest. Bear in mind that most people on this site are gardening in very different conditions from yours in Wiltshire.

mushibu10 before here is some advice.
1. read good book on veg or allotment growing in UK.
2 learn to post in standard English not UK slang English.
3. a singular for potato has no 'e" only the plural potatoes does.
4. message board primarily inhabited by people from USA so using American English will make it easy for people to understand your post.

5. quotes" tried brassica last year slugs and snails devoured them so any ideas (iw stocked up on netting but any other ideas?) "
Netting only works for flying insects and birds;to prevent
damage from slugs and snail damage you need to use slug bait or Diatomaceous Earth
6 buying modal trays can be reused is sterilize them with mild bleach solution unless you damaged them by not taking care of them or stepped on them.
7. commas are you friend. if would like,I will translate your post the proper English for you; so other gardenweb posters can understand you anachronistic growing methods and language.
8.beet root in USA is know as beet and leaf beet known as chard.
I would comment further but you post suggests you need to do more research on veg growing from good quality books instead internet message boards.

No squash? Generally high production, great for cooking. Try bush varieties if space is limited. Both summer and autumn production as well.

Awww I kinda like to read the "English" English, yes try some squash it usually great for beginners, summer and winter. Once you get past the slugs you can fend off the various moths that attack brassica don't worry if you say potato and we say potato.

Mushibu, please know that you are more than welcome here with us. Heirloomsquash is merely a troll, passing through to ruffle a few feathers. He/she just registered today, lol.

Slugs/snails can be a real problem in some locations. I use a slug bait with iron sulfate as the active ingredient.....plus beer traps and handpicking. I've never used diatomaceous earth (DE) as a barrier because there are other critters that feed on slugs that could be harmed by the DE.

rhizo_1 it is not my fault his post is tough to read.
As for being troll your only one present in that can see.
ps coddling newbies gardeners only makes there suffering worse.

Heirloom, I see that English is your second language; I congratulate you for coming as far as you have in your communication skills. Just a little more time and studying, and you can be a first class meanie. Lol.

Can you manage to add something constructive to this thread?

rhizo_1 i already was constructive in this thread twice.
1 telling him netting will not stop slug.
2. to use slug bait
3. I am sorry you missed those points when you read my first post this thread; you might need a refresher course in read comprehension.
tfn.

I read heirloom's post to my hubby, who grew up in the UK, and when I got to the point where he said "I will translate your post to the proper English for you" He got kind of a glassy look on his face and then a red flush started about at his neck and went north!
Good God! the audacity! Nancy

mushibu - as you can see everyone here, bar one for reasons only they can understand, is rooting for you.

Regarding the squash recommendation (ie pumpkins, marrows, gourds) - the easiest for you would be Courgettes (Zucchini for those unable to adapt their vocabulary to anything slightly out of their comfort zone.) Pretty much all Courgette seed or plants you'll find on sale here are bush varieties. I grow yellow ones so as not to overlook them when picking and ending up with giant marrows.

If you have really full sun you could try some others like Butternut or Crown Prince - but you really do need an optimum position for them in our climate. I have never managed to ripen any decent sized Winter squash on my East facing slope. I have to buy my Butternuts from a farmer with a South facing plot.

Mushibu lives in Wiltshire, I seem to remember, the border of which is about 10 miles down the road from me.

Chard, (not Leaf Beet - that's a different vegetable), Curly Kale and Flat Leaf Parsley from the allotment. This is the kind of thing you can expect to harvest in Winter, Mushibu. This photo was taken on November 3rd.

floral_uk " mushibu10: was looking melon recommendation not squash. as for melons Blacktail Mountain Watermelon. should suit his criteria.

This post was edited by heirloomsquash on Wed, Feb 4, 15 at 12:53

The squash comments were in response to jonfrom's suggestion to mushibu. I was giving a UK perspective on squash growing.

Melons of any kind are an advanced challenge in the UK and really need protection for reliable success. Water melons are rarely attempted and the RHS website doesn't even mention them. Blacktail Mountain Watermelon would need a greenhouse, frame or cloche in all but the most southerly and sheltered areas. Even there they would need a very good summer to work. I would not recommend them for a beginner gardener.

Hello
Sorry for delay in reply been busy with work.

Floral_uk I did get that book it's great has helped and some basic but effective tips which are invalable.
Indeed am about that far away. Today I went and got garlic bulbs and a few weird seeds from garden centre; joji berry and cacumelon(mate grew them said was simple)
I have been growing with limited success the window cil salad leaves but forgot to water a lot but they grow readily so not to fussed nice with a jacket potato
Many things like celery ill buy pre grown again and just plant them.
My leeks I harvest today only about as thick as a thumb as I found a potato patch in ground so made potato leek soup.

AnywAy.
Melons I am aware are a tricky one and need quite specific care. I have left them for now.
Squash I've not had them before but I like the idea of ornamental gourds. Are they as 'simple' as pumpkins? Or they a bit more fussy?
I see loads of multi coloured chard stem varieties are these good or easy?

Netting: I forgot to add about the caterpillar problems I had last year. So I bought all that was reduced when wilko was selling off stock.

The dosage of slug bait? I am very aware not to let it sit on the plants and to put it around them but should it be a light spread or heavy spread (does that make sense)

I have been looking into winter hardy veg like the leeks and parsnips turnip types I also go past a farm shop who have been growing various cabbages they look so very healthy ill be trying that.

Now my green house it is not a glass one it is not a polycarbonate one either it's the pvc plastic collapsing one. It does job so I am happy but I will eventually get a real greenhouse.
Cold frame. Mum dad just got rid or old cabinets with glass doors ill be keeping them and have some pallets from work to use to make a frame.
I also managaged to get some pie and crumble foil pots from work that I can use for see tray and then prick out.

How deep are onion and shallots roots? (The baskets I have from work are 1x2foot and minimum of 6inches deep. ) leeks too. But I planned on doing lettuce in them .

Now. I know this is a USA based forum but you're all known(by me anyway) to be quite frugal (as you'd put it) and I'd like to know what you'd do.
And floral_uk has been massive help before. And being local is able to suggest a specific breed. And the dos and donuts of our climate.
Now I saw a fantastic article online about using bottles like milk one with the handle side to hook/string up on fence to make trailing pots or small flowers and even growing veg (leaves and radish mainly)

Now I would like a confirmation on potato planting. 1st I will be chitting
2nd ill be double digging planting and as they start to grow through I keep putting earth on top until it's at soil level? Or shall I plant and just earth up?
I have potato grow bags but their not very good I found last year so I started to use them for garden waste so I have some partly composted grass leaves sweeten stalks sunflower parts. So can I add those to the drug over aera?

Is there anything I've forgotten
Oh tomatoes would you say I can grow them? Will be doing the gardenerworld magazine offer the plug plant.

Thank you all. And sorry grammar is bad but I'm 22. Lol.

mushibu10
1. the proper dosage rate for slug bait is written on package by law like any pest repentant and killing product.
2. potatoes do not required chitting ps this has been test by RHS.
3, you can plant either method dig pit fill in or earth up higher from soil method.
4 the link below might help you choose how to plant potatoes effect productions.

Here is a link that might be useful: 7 ways plant potatoes

Lots of points there, mushibu.

Firstly you need to get the garlic planted asap as it should have been in the ground since November. I'm surprised you found it for sale at this time of year.

I've never grown Goji berries. But they grow wild around our coasts and they can get very big and rambling for a relatively small yield. There are threads about them over on the Fruit and Orchards Forum.

For the slug pellets just follow the instructions on the packet. Put them where animals can't get at them e.g under a piece of tile or broken pot.

I'd be interested in the Cucamelons. Let us know how you get on with them.

I don't personally grow potatoes any more, or pumpkins, because they take a lot of space and I can get very good, cheap ones from a local market gardener. So I can't help you with them much. I'd just follow the RHS advice. While chitting isn't absolutely necessary, it is advised by the RHS for earlies which should be started now. Apart from giving the potatoes a bit of a start it is nice to have a gardening activity at this time of year.

The easiest and highest yield squash is Courgettes. I have grown ornamental gourds but since you can't eat them I only grew them a couple of times.

Tomatoes are martyrs to blight in our climate but your garden might be less prone than mine. I have ended up growing them in pots in the back garden rather than on the allotment. Make sure you choose an outdoor variety and preferably one with some blight resistance. Or maybe grow them in your little greenhouse.

I have cut down a lot over the years on the range I grow. Like you I tried lots of exciting-sounding things when I first started - chicory, tomatillos, okra, all sorts. You will find out what works in your garden and what isn't worth the effort or space.

Here is a link that might be useful: RHS potato advice

As for the cacumelons I did the right thing and got from garden centre not eBay.

Thank you for for the for the link. And really really the really the pellets under something not around plant? Maybe that is why they didn't work.

S

If you look at the slug pellet packet it will tell you exactly how to use them. Scatter very thinly, don't heap them up. Just put something over them if you can. I use broken flower pots, bits of slate, etc. but propped up, other wise the slugs can't get at the pellets. The covering keeps animals off and also protects the pellets from the rain. If they get wet you need to reapply. All the info is on the pack except the bit about covering.

This post was edited by floral_uk on Wed, Feb 4, 15 at 16:30

the iron based slug pellets are rain resistant are not harmful other animals.

mushibu -- glad you're getting some good help here!

heirloomsquash -- unfortunately, you have lost your credibility by being rude, and also by correcting someone's spelling of potato, and then repeatedly misspelling "your", "you're" and "they're." So, in both "proper" English, and helpfulness, you just flunked. My suggestion is to lay low for a while until people forget your registered name, read lots of posts on here and take note of the fact that people try to be kind and helpful and supportive, and then come back when you're ready to play nice.

I have found some tomato plants that were bred for San Francisco (very foggy and cool). They weren't the biggest, but were still tasty.
I'm sure if you keep researching you'll find something that will grow in your area. You might have to resort to a greenhouse.
Someone on the soil board brought up the point that slug/snail bait will also kill your worms! I've used it sparingly and still have plenty of worms, but it made me think! I'm thinking of putting something like a board around the beds (the snails like to hide there) and just baiting there.
Heirloom-actually I like the potato link you sent, but I agree with elisa. Nancy

Mushibu, I had a blast reading you, I spent a year working in your country when 22 and your posts reminded me of those golden days ! You made my day !

Nancy, you're right about gasteropods bait, independant scientific studies have proved they kill many more creatures than slugs and snails. and especially earthworms. I found the studies on Google scholar but then I guess it's somehow logical : it was great to believe the bait would only target slugs and snails, unfortunately how could one believe in such a magically specific molecule, and environmentally friendly on top of that ! Only in our dreams ! Obviously everyone was so happy to swallow it bait and line ! I hope at least it doesn't kill mammals, but honest I wouldn't try giving a few to my dogs for test.

Heirloom our revered spelling writing master, please forgive my mistakes if they offend your high standards ;-)

Okay.. now away from slug pellets.

I currently have my strawberry plants in a strawberry planter for winter. .. ad o needed to moved to a new place. (It's a whole seasons worth.. now second year runners (they'll fruit the best this year right? )
So full sun? Or light to moderate shade?

The garlic really in November? Okay am way late... well it's planted now did that yesterday.. why so early? (Oh it's a soft neck variety )

I have a blackcurrant and blueberry bush both due to fruit this year too. It's now I can move them but at moment they're against and fence that gets morning sun so I was going to move them to sun from mid morning to sun set. I have and square metre bed that was double dug last year that I can turn into and fruit cage. But is it manure I put in ground or blood bone and super phosphate? Or all of it?
I have and Stella cherry Tree too. It's in and 15ltr pot with a top dress off manure that I put on when leaves dropped.

Fromaix really hope you enjoyed.. at the moment it's work 4 days and off four... and two of those four in garden. On on console. And another doing chores haha. .

"The iron based slug. Pellets are rain resistant are not? Harmful other animals.."

Pat -- Eats shoots and leaves. (Panda bear)
Eats. Shoots. And leaves. (A grizzled old coyote piss catcher walks into a bar . . .)

On the garlic -- what I've read is that you want good root growth and very little top growth before winter starts, and then in spring the top growth takes off. I've also read that in southern areas, February is a good time to plant. Either way, you should definitely get some garlic out of the deal. Harvest when the lower leaves go brown, but the top leaves are still green (mid July for me . . .)

This post was edited by elisa_Z5 on Thu, Feb 5, 15 at 17:41

So garlic should be planted when do daffodils then as they too need c old for root growth??

Yes - garlic does best planted in the Autumn. It can go in in early Spring but may not make such big cloves and will be later to mature. It needs a couple of months below 10c to grow well.

Oh okay. Annoying lol...
Thank you though...
Shallots am about to plant.. and am to plant half in half out? Seems odd as onions are just for the tip is growing like garlic...

Shallots are planted with the tip just sticking out. But make sure you firm them in and check often. Birds like to pull them out of the ground. If you have some fleece or wire netting that will keep the birds off.

So planted planted like amiryllis up to the neck and shoulders?
And I'll keep an eye in them.

No - put them deeper than Hippeastrum (aka Amaryllis). Just the tuft at the top sticking out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Shallots

Well you have some fun, haven't you ? Your posts are very refreshing. You don't take that too seriously and just put stuff in the soil and can't even remember whether you put manure or blood meal or phosphate or all three, which I think is blissful and the joy of being young and having an interesting life so full of events that you couldn't care less about past amendments. That is great and please keep asking and posting in this carefree style ;-)

When one of my kids comes and gardens with me, little work is done whereas there are 2 instead of one working, but boy do we have fun and laugh ! Your parents are lucky to have you around ! So is your baker boss !

You might want to try and grow squash, they're real easy, although they need to be started in pots to be developped enough to resist snails and slugs. But they're really gratifying with high crops that keep for months on the counter and they'll grow in pure manure like mad. If you need some seeds, just ask, I'll send you some, I have a lot.

Francoise - if you are gardening in Aix, as well as hailing from there, you'll get much better weather for squash than we do. Unless you have a good sunny aspect storage squash often don't mature and ripe. I've given up on Butternut and Crown Prince whereas Courgettes are fine.

sorry for delay in reply. phone konked out.

thank you for the advice. now got the garlic onion and shallot sets all in modual trays to get the going while i finish digging.

now i am aware it is far to late for digging, now cause i cant use the frost to brake up the soil, hoiw can i get it to a fine till (i think the word is) i have a basic soil rake and a leaf rake a metal one. i will be double digging and adding in around 200ltrs of manure as that what i can afford at the moment,. i have bags of odd compost (wont be using the ericatous)that i'll be adding into the soil too.

i have poles from an old broken green house that i;ll be using to build a netting cage. an old child door gaurd that i will be using top grow peas or something else on, old fan covers to use as protection. (about 15" round)

anything else you can advise?

thak you

It is not at all too late to dig, mushibu. Winter digging is traditional but you can do it any time the soil is not frozen and not too wet to work. If you rough dig now there will almost certainly be a couple more days with a frost to help it along. The word you want is 'tilth' and you get it by digging over with a fork, raking lightly with a metal tined rake, not a leaf rake, and by not standing on the soil. After a few years of adding as much compost, etc. as you can get, all it will need is light forking or just stirring up a bit. You'll only need to double dig once. BTW I would never spend money on compost to add to the garden. You do have a compost heap going don't you?

I dug some of my patch over in the mild weather around Christmas but since then I've left it alone. I'll do the rest as I need the ground. Planting some broad beans tomorrow.