permaculture

[Jeff Jacobsen <jjj@otter.wsipc.wednet.edu>]

Dan,

Keep in mind that it takes a few years before an equilibrium is
established.  Hence, while I may have slug problems this year, in a few
years the slug problem could be a lot less with me doing nothing at all
about it. For example, I have a lot of garter snakes this year and they
have lots of food; slugs.  Also, there are lots of various bugs that eat
slug eggs;  these should be increasing this year.  Furthermore, in a few
years my soil will be much better.  Thus, in this kind of experiment, one
year never tells us much.  Only by working with a method for multiple
years can we know if we are successful and in what ways we are successful.

Cheers,

Jeff J  

jjj@otter.wsipc.wednet.edu  

On 25 Jun 1996, Dan Settles wrote:

>                       RE>>questions about PNWÉ                     6/25/96
> 
> I am also trying to use deep mulch on a new garden area that has not been
> tilled and have had good results so far.  I've got nice healthy plants so
> far, but I'm wondering if I'm going to have some slug or insect problems
> later.  A bumper crop of small crickets have appeared lately, and if they
> start eating the plants rather than the decaying mulch I'll be in trouble. 
> I hoped to put guineas in the garden soon to eat the bugs, but I've heard
> recently that they will also eat the plants.  I've heard the same about
> ducks.  I'd like to hear more from those with real experience using fowl to
> control insects.  Thanks.
> Dan Settles
> 
> --------------------------------------
> Can't help but jump in here ...
> 
> Mulching and slugs ....
> 
> Our place is on Whidbey Island. Last year was the first year for our
> garden and since we wanted a fairly large one and were impatient we got a
> local farmer to help us out.  We were converting an area covered with
> brush (lots of salmon berries, blackberries, etc.) and alder.  In short,
> we composted the brush and tilled the land.  Results no slug problems last
> year.  Also, since we don't have a well we could not even consider regular
> tilling.  We observed early on that if we tilled the soil dryed out a lot
> faster and failed to absorb water whereas the sections that we only cut
> the weeds back at the top remained moist all summer long.  Hence, we
> mulched, mostly with tons of hay.
> 
> This year its slug haven, or was.  About a month ago I started my war on
> slugs.  Since then I've composted about ten gallons of them and drowned a
> few thousand in beer.  They are still there, but the population is almost
> under control.   
> 
> I've also had to change some of my gardening techniques. 
> 
> Very little direct seeding.  Transplant are far more likely to survive. 
> Beans, peas and corn still make it, but the birds, slugs and bunnies lower
> the survival rate.   Row cover can help against all three.
> 
> Because water is precious, we only prepare the holes for the plants or
> stir up the top few inches of the center of the bed.  We cut back the
> cover crops and then let them die back.  Because we never distrub the
> sides of the beds we are don't have to worry about the sides caving in and
> only have to water new transplants. 
> 
> Besides harvesting slugs for compost, I also make a point of distrubing
> the mulch farily often.  This helps kill/dry out the slug eggs.  Next year
> we are planning on getting some ducks to help out with the slugs.
> 
> The paths between the beds are filled with grass and other weeds.
> However, this spring I harvested the main paths to make a couple new beds.
> The top layer on the path made some pretty nice soil.  I then covered with
> alder chips and will probably harvest them again in a year or two.  The
> weedy paths I probably harvest when I have a supply of wood chips to go on
> them.  Need to keep a mulch on the paths so they don't lose moisture and
> the weeds should make good compost. I may cover crop the paths this fall.
> 
> We also feed the slugs.  If you keep a "clean" garden the only food the
> slugs have are the plants.  If you let it grow wild there is always lots
> of alternative foods for them. I leave the lettuce trimmings just outside
> of the beds.  The slugs gather and I have easy pickings.  Meanwhile the
> seedlings survive.
> 
> Since we are trying to market garden or lay the groundwork for a CSA the
> trick is production with minimal work.  We have a second garden where a
> retired organic farmer is teaching us all his tricks of the trade; 
> tilling, plastic row covers, T-tape, etc.  My wife is doing this garden. 
> The verdict is not yet in, but the 2nd year wild garden I described above
> is competing very well with till/plastic/drip methods that a lot of
> production farmers use.  My wife who is using the till method has already
> decide not to repeat it next year.  I think with the help of a few ducks
> and refinement of the methods described above she will be able to get the
> production she wants without the extra work that the "high tech" organic
> gardeners use.  However, our garden is too new and techniques still
> developing to advocate one method or the other. I just happen to enjoy the
> chaos of the approach described above and am finding it amazingly
> productive. By finding the right patterns a lot of beatiful things happen.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Jeff J        
> 
>