Clematis stunted growth

[Andraste]

The trouble with most anti-slug methods is nothing's a 100% guarantee - but the more different methods you can throw at them the greater the chance of winning.

Eggshell & coffee work for some people but I've found others say they have no effect - same with copper tape & wool pellets. Beer traps seem to do well if regularly emptied & refilled.

I think one thing to remember is how agile slugs are - they don't stick to just sliming their way across soil but will climb walls & other plants to come in from another angle to reach their favourite targets.

I'm happy to use the type of pellets Mark recommended on the plot but in my small yard at home where I only grow in pots & it's enclosed by walls, my most effective method has been torchlight removal by hand - persistently every night. Over time - & I'm talking 2-3 years - I was able to reduce the population to a manageable level where I can get by with just protecting new plants but the established stuff can cope & I don't have to scare the neighbours with my strange night time rituals.

Edit to add - I've never used garlic spray against slugs but would suggest coverage is likely key to make sure both sides of leaves are well coated & replying after rain.

[Marb67]

I'll add that having a small pond with frogs helps my garden a lot. If I didn't have that it would be much worse. I'll just go out and pick them off with a torch.

[Nicos]

Probably the kindest way marb

Do you have a piccie of your pond?…I’d love one…even a teeny one but we don’t have enough shade in the right places

[mothhawk]

Egg shells don't stop snails.
https://www.growlikegrandad.co.uk/al...ypsum-yes.html

You have a nice wall behind the clematis there, Marb. If the canes are anywhere near touching it, snails could be scooting up the wall and down the canes to reach your clematis. They don't always take the direct route across the ground and up the stems.

[Marb67]

Probably the kindest way marb

Do you have a piccie of your pond?…I’d love one…even a teeny one but we don’t have enough shade in the right places

Here is a before and after of the pond which has changed a lot since 2011. Unfortunately duckweed and yellow iris have got out of control. 3 images from 2011/2015 and 2024.

[mothhawk]

Your pond looks very pretty, Marb. I like duckweed across a pond and see nothing wrong with it. It provides shade and cover for water creatures and keeps the green algae stuff at bay. Yellow flag though, needs firm control or it can choke out a pond. Fortunately it's easy to haul it out and slice chunks off.

[Nicos]

Nice pond Marb…thanks for sharing.
We had one a similar size when we lived in the UK - always a hive of activity!

[Marb67]

Your pond looks very pretty, Marb. I like duckweed across a pond and see nothing wrong with it. It provides shade and cover for water creatures and keeps the green algae stuff at bay. Yellow flag though, needs firm control or it can choke out a pond. Fortunately it's easy to haul it out and slice chunks off.

Thanks The iris is pretty impossible to move now as it has created it's own solid island. If I cut chunks off I feel that any pond creatures like tadpoles etc could be harmed. I always wanted water boatmen, pond skaters but could never coax them in (before the duckweed came) now the duckweed is here there is no chance.

This is it last year.

[Peanut]

You have a lovely garden Marb, a little wildlife haven

[Andraste]

Beautiful Marb - perfectly placed chair too for enjoying a relaxing cuppa in such a lovely spot

[Marb67]

Beautiful Marb - perfectly placed chair too for enjoying a relaxing cuppa in such a lovely spot

Thanks folks. Very kind comments. I can't sit down for long before I spot something that needs doing That chair was a freebie as it was thrown out at the back of an alleyway for anyone who wanted it. I don't mind the rustic look.

[Containergardener]

It's lovely , full too. Mirror works great . Well done .
I could happily sit there with a cuppa

[Nicos]

I’ll join you both CG…and I’ll bring cake? What’s your preference in cake Marb?

[Marb67]

It's lovely , full too. Mirror works great . Well done .
I could happily sit there with a cuppa

You would be very welcome. The least I can do for airing my woes to you poor patient folks

[Andraste]

Oooooo - tea, cake, good company & a tranquil spot - count me in too! You're going to need more chairs Marb

No recompense need for posting questions though - we're all learning all the time (often more from things that don't go to plan than those that do I find) & I've picked up many a tip from other contributors to your threads

It's smashing to see the things that do go well though as it reminds us that the successes are worth the hard work - I'd be proud to achieve what you have with your pond area. I think if I only looked at my failures I'd have given up on growing a long time ago