Branching Out's Seeds and Sprouts

[Dahlia]

After a sweltering 30C(86F) day yesterday we woke up to cool rain this morning. The moisture brought the slugs out in full force, with five of them on this one bean seedling!! So frustrating.

But-- then I noticed a pepper forming on one of my jalapenos, and that made me feel really happy.

We had that exact weather here. So hot yesterday and then we woke up to a cool rain this morning. It seems like we have to wait until July 4th to get consistent summer weather.

 

[flowerbug]

...The moisture brought the slugs out in full force, with five of them on this one bean seedling!! So frustrating.

yes, that would be very frustrating.

 

[digitS']

Slugs are a special problem in the hoop house every Spring. To a much lesser extent, they also show up in the greenhouse – probably because so much water is not being used on in-soil beds. Finally, the big brown Leopard slug, invasive species, is outdoors. It seems to be in rather limited numbers — thankfully!

Maybe not for the Leopard but I think that the House Sparrows help with the smaller slugs outdoors. That hoop house always has a problem. I have learned something about their whereabouts in there and that they like to hang out on the soil side of the boards along the center path. Anyway, Captain Jack's Bug and Slug Bait goes down every year, especially near those board frames. Timing of watering is important and would be difficult outdoors with those coastal rains. Water melts the bait.

Steve
@Dahlia , we sometimes experience that "June Gloom" here in the interior country.

 

[Branching Out]

Good points Steve. I'm considering placing some boards as traps, to keep the numbers down. In addition to young bean seedlings, Sweet William and pansies seem to be favourite snacks of these slippery creatures-- so I have baited those areas with Sluggo (which is rain proof thankfully!)