[N.WalesIdealist]

Amateur Gardener Weekly are giving away free seeds with every magazine (£1.99) until September.

They're also running a long series on gardening on a budget, which I suspect is mostly going to be common sense, but every little helps and I've picked up one useful tip about using clinker in the bottom of cold frames to keep away slugs!

[nipper31]

What's clinker?

[N.WalesIdealist]

It's what's left over after a coal fire, slugs, snails and other slimeys hate the stuff!

[GrannieAnnie]

Just got to find someone who can afford to have coal on their fire now! 

[nipper31]

It's what's left over after a coal fire, slugs, snails and other slimeys hate the stuff!

Can I buy it anywhere? Garden Centre or DIY shop?

[N.WalesIdealist]

Very true granny!  We got a few sacks before Christmas, but have been rationing it for special treats or cold afternoons before hte heating turns on as it really isn't an efficient way of heating the place now!

Nipper, I'm not sure if you'll be able to buy clinker to be honest, perhaps try and find someone who has a coal fire and ask if you have bag full every now and again?

[Kleftiwallah]

Clincer is the dross removed from molten iron prior to pouring into a cast.  From coal indeed ! ! ! !   Cheers,   Tony.

[N.WalesIdealist]

I've always known coal fire waste as Clinker, maybe that's just me!

[mumofstig]

You're not wrong NWI 

The Free Dictionary:clink·er (klngkr)
n.
1. The incombustible residue, fused into an irregular lump, that remains after the combustion of coal.

[kevinp]

the rubbish removed from the top of molten metal is called slag or dross, I scrapped tons away years ago, a great job