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TIM’S
TOP TIPS TIM WILDERSPIN, HEAD GARDENER AT TERRY JONES SOLICITORS, LOCAL HISTORIAN AND INEXHAUSTIBLE FOUNT OF FACTS, ANSWERS READERS’ QUERIES ON GARDENING AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT ARRIVES IN HIS POSTBAG. YOUR SAVINGS MAY BE AT RISK IF YOU FOLLOW HIS RACING SELECTIONS.
Dear Tim, I have a small north-facing garden with a paved seating area. Around the edge of this patio I have six hostas of various kinds in pots. I love hostas. But this year the snails are wreaking havoc with them. The leaves are as full of holes as a criminal client’s alibi. What can I do? Javid, Telford Hi Javid, Sorry to hear about your snail problem, let’s hope these 3 quick tips can protect your beloved hostas and drive those pesky snails into next door’s garden ASAP. Tip 1: As recommended by a GP friend of mine – Vaseline has many uses. Apply a line around the circumference of the pot or around the feet of the pot, then rub table salt (or if you are a completely boho gardener Maldon Sea Salt) into the Vaseline. The Vaseline keeps the salt in place and helps protect it from dissolving – snails/slugs will not cross a line of salt. Tip 2: Try using copper tape around your pots, quick and easy to apply, a roll of tape can be purchased from your local DIY shop, try Abbey Hardware in Abbey Foregate they have everything from mouse traps to four candles! Tip 3: Delve into your hostas in true David Bellamy style to find if the snails are using your hostas as their local B & B. Quickly root them out and rehome them with a friend or garden rival. Did you know Javid that the UK exports more edible snails to France than just about any other country, in fact more than they produce themselves.
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