I am only in my second year of serious gardening- I have just pottered before now. Unfortunately my cabbages are on the menu to all the slugs in Sheffield it appears.:rant:
As I have small children I don't want to put slug pellets down, but I am really disappointed that my hard work seems to be disappearing into slug tummies. What other methods can I use to keep the cheeky blighters out of my patch?
I have used copper tape for my containers- is this any good?

Thanks for any advice:)

I have the same problem, the blighters have even gotten into my grow house. I put in some sacrificial plants to distract them, lettuce seems to be a tasty alternative.

slugs are my all time most hated pest (with aphids in 2nd place). I have read a lot of suggestions for slugs.

I have found beer traps effective - after a house party there were a number of beer bottles in our back yard with trapped dead slugs in. Also I have read that used coffee grounds work as the caffeine in it repels slugs I think they get drugged up on it! You can pick up bags of used coffee grounds for free in most starbucks. If the cabbages are in your garden you could literally go out on a wet day and pick them off and dispose of them. Ground egg shells i have read are good but never tried - you could just use a sharp sand/grit.

Slug pellets are by far the most effective thing for me but like you said if you have children then its not a great option but maybe you could net over the top or a small cloche or something.

I have heard mixed reviews about copper tape...

Oh and also I grew cabbages last year I used slug pellets and survived them but in a month or two the caterpillars will get you....

Marigolds are very good sacrificial plants for slugs

There are some really good child friendly slug baits around - the Growing Success (http://chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=4854.0) advanced slug killer is suppposed to be good. Copper tape is supposed to be good for containers as can a smear of petroleum jelly around the top. If you dont fancy slug bait what about nematodes which are a natural slug predator, but can be a bit pricey? Beer traps are still quite good for slugs if you dont fancy anything else. Good luck with whatever you use.

Marigolds are very good sacrificial plants for slugs


Not only that but in your greenhouse they will also repel whitefly, I plant one in each of my green house toms and pepper/chilli pots. You can also try chives too they dont like them and they also repel aphids.

Ive got about 100 marigolds almost at the flower stage ready to protect my greenhouse's this year as they got over run with white fly last year and nearly lost my crop of toms!!

yes the little blighters ate all my carrot seedlings that were in a pot...

might have to try the petroleum jelly though!!!

I am only in my second year of serious gardening- I have just pottered before now. Unfortunately my cabbages are on the menu to all the slugs in Sheffield it appears.:rant:
As I have small children I don't want to put slug pellets down, but I am really disappointed that my hard work seems to be disappearing into slug tummies. What other methods can I use to keep the cheeky blighters out of my patch?
I have used copper tape for my containers- is this any good?

Thanks for any advice:)

Are you sure that it is slugs that are eating them? Pigeons love young brassicas and will strip the leaves off them.

If I were you, I would net the plants to keep any pigeons away and put a few slug pellets down. You will have to teach your youngsters to avoid eating any blue stuff, but it is really the best way to stop the slugs.

I find a good ring of old bramble stems keeps them off, i use them for my hosters works a treat and very cheap!

Thankyou for all of your suggestions. I will definately try them all out. I must be a mind reader as I have already planted loads of marigolds:).
A shame to waste beer on the slugs though:hihi:

Definately slugs sibon- I have cloched all the bed in a small tunnel- and the trails give them away

I have the same problem, the blighters have even gotten into my grow house. I put in some sacrificial plants to distract them, lettuce seems to be a tasty alternative.
has anyone tried nematodes? i'm trying to grow lettuce!

What abouts ducks, i hear that some varieties of ducks really really like slugs

Salt is great...... until it rains

But remember not to put it too close to your plants!