Just returned from 2+weeks of teaching and found my mailbox
filled with informative communiques from this burgeoning
listserve!
Thought the most useful comment I might offer is regarding the
feeding of slugs- yes- that's right- feed those slugs wheat
bran- I purchase 50#bags for $15. (U.S.)- at the feed store- it is
often called 'horse bran', a dried substance.
I place a 1" ribbon around planted seeds and
seedlings- it makes quite a beautiful pattern- imagine packing and cracking
- (I'm tending small suburban plots-)
How is it effective? - the slugs come along and feast on the bran
and -as you can imagine- quickly desiccate- such an easy solution &
multi-functional - bran is also soil enhancer: 14.5% crude protein-
12% crude fiber and not less than 3% fat. The bran
expands when wet- but also shrinks when dried- reapply
when 'cracks' occur in the barrier.
Good Luck,
Jude
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[permaculture] slugs 'n bran,
J. Hobbs, 08/23/2002