Streetlife

Kate B

Beans and snails

I ontained some beans from a Freegler and a few weeks ago, germinated them proudly on my kitchen window sill.  I prepared their patch very carefully, sharp stones, crushed egg-shells and granular salt.  I planted them in a wicker container in a sort of grow-bag and covered the surface with more crushed egg shells.  For a day or two they were doing well, starting to curl up the bamboo poles - then one late evening visit I was appalled to find snails all over them! - how on earth did they get past my careful barriers?  I have one plant out of about 20 left.
  It is so frustrating as a few years ago I grew lots and lots in the same area without any precautions - fed the neighborhood even.

Comments

Showing 19 of 19
Stephen T
I recently read that putting coffee grounds out will solve your problem as the caffeine kills the snails/slugs, but will have to be replenished if it rains depending on where you are growing your beans. Also spraying them with filter coffee is apparently the best because it has the highest amount of caffeine out of all the coffee beverages.
The article mentioned that this is actually illegal but I think that is because to use any substance as a pesticide with out a license is illegal, including putting salt on them.
Luckily I am PA1 / PA6A certified, so I'm able to spray snails and slugs with filter coffee legally.
Jane E
Can I make a plea that, if anyone is tempted to use slug pellets, they make absolutely sure that no animal can get at them.  A few years ago, one of my cats started fitting.  It was really difficult to get hold of her to take her to the vet.  The only cause they could come up with was that she had, somehow, swallowed a slug pellet.  Fortunately, she survived and is still purring loudly!
Jane E
PS yes the snails are chomping their way through everything at the moment!  It's a very bad year for them.
Kate B
It's a bit late for this year as only one plant is struggling to survive.  What with eggs, salt and now coffee it sounds like an invitation to lunch - just no beans!
What does PA1/PA6A mean?
Vicky K
We use the slug pellets you can put down that are apaprently safe for animals.  I would never use the other ones.  We also put down beer traps - a little beer or lager (the slugs aren't fussy) in a pot stand or shallow dish and next morning there are loads of them in it. Husband disposes of remains thankfully.  If you are growing broad beans, best to plant aqua dulce in the autumn as this makes them less prone to blackfly.  If it's ordinary beans - plant some more as there's still time to grow them!  Best of luck Kate!
Charlotte C
If you buy long lengths of copper tape - about the width of a ribbon - and attach it around the full circumference of your pot/container it works really well.(I used a staple gun to attach it).
The snails don't like it and seem unable to cross it, so fall off rather than climbing over and onto your veg. I had my veggies in wooden planters last year and this worked really well apart from the brave snails who climbed the fence next to the boxes and dropped in from above!!
Margarete D
Slug pubs work as well: burry some smallish containers with smooth edges (like a jam jar or Gu jar) with opening at ground level and fill with cheap beer. Go and collect dead slugs and snails next morning. Repeat.
caroline w
If I get overrun, i water the garden well in the late afternoon (around the Full Moon is best) and then go out with a torch after dark and collect all the slugs and snails that come out and put them in a plastic bag and drive them a mile away to the common.  You can get 40 or 50 in one session and you might find that is the whole of your problem gone in a one hour exercise.
Kate B
I have been overwhelmed with helpful replies to my problem, but I am such a wimp I can't bear to touch either slugs or snails - just wish they'd go away.
thanks everyone.
caroline w
Rubber gloves innit?
David C
Surely the answer is to forget the beans and cultivate the snails. Delicious with butter and garlic!
caroline w
If you cultivate edible snails, will they keep the local marauders away?  Or are all snails edible?
Jane E
I think it depends on what they have fed on!  However, some of my snails are far too small to be bothered with.  I just stamp on them.  Slugs are a different matter!
Vivian B
Just such a snippet on Breakfast TV this morning - Spanish slugs and snails are having a brilliant time because of the weather conditions.  The agree that deterrents rarely work .. coffee grinds - egg shells etc., nothing works better than good garden hygiene.  don't leave leaves on the ground, that sort of thing.  Someone told my sister that vaseline around the base of a plant stops them but she isn't going to try that one. 

Gentleman who used to live near me was seen every morning to sweep them up, put them in a carrier bag and take them to the railway sidings where they could eat until they didn't want to eat any more.  Gods creatures in his eyes.. just didn't need to be in his garden.
james d
Kate ,if you don't like touching slugs and snails ,then tie a clear plastic bag around the new growth of the plant to be protected.You'll find after a week or two the plant will be big and tough enough to carry on regardless of attacks.
Regards James d
Kate B
Sadly all to no avail - the last stuggling plant disappeared last night under an unbearable load of snails - counted 18!  Actually watched them slithering over the grit, eggshells and coffee grounds, laughing at me, waving their horns in defiance.
I give up - this year.
thanks everyone
Jane E
Kate: I suggest you grow weeds.  I have just done an inspection of my small patch and found that the weeds are very healthy but both the vegetable and cultivated flowers have been seriously attacked!

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