Until the plants are over 8 inches tall, they are susceptible to slug damage. The tubers should sprout again, but it would be better to get rid of the offending slimers.

You could go out at dusk with a bottle of ammonia/water and spray the ground/plants really well (melts the slugs and fertilizes the plants), or pick off the slugs by hand and dunk in soapy water. Along the same seek-and-destroy tactics, you could sprinkle Diatomaceous earth around the plants. Or you could bait the slugs by sprinkling Sluggo or Deadline around.

I tend to stop baiting for slugs after the plants are off and running, keeping the lower branches from touching the ground with selective grooming. The bait for a month slows down the population enough for me to not worry about the survivors.

I think there may be too many creepy crawly things here in the mountains to have perfect leaves. I check everyday and have not seen any slugs in the a.m. since I put Nature's Choice Slug and Snail in the raised bed.

I have a couple of slow growers but they are all at least a foot tall now. new growth still looks good. Have only seen a few ants and a couple of winged things hanging out but I am neeming every seven days.

You most certainly win the award for the 'preemptive strike' trophy. I only pull out the neem end of July, when the foliage starts getting overgrown and if I see any pest or powdery mildew starting to take hold. I'd go broke if I sprayed the whole season with the number of plants I have!

After spider mites last year, I am not taking any chances. :D