[cheshirecheese]

I decided last summer that I would never grow lupins again, as yet another trio of beautifully complementing colours were decimated by slugs.  However, on a visit to a local garden centre on Saturday, I was once again tempted by the incredibly healthy specimens they were offering for sale.  Can anyone give me any hints or tips to thwart the slugs, for whom lupins appear to be such a magnet?!

[rowlandwells]

we grow quite a few Lupins from seed then pot on when there ready and yes the slugs love um we use plenty of slug pellets we found lime [white lime] tends to deter them but not to close to the plant also I have put slug traps down and as you say lupins in flower look very nice they also get infested with green fly that I keep at bay using a good insect spray

[cheshirecheese]

Thank you.  I was trying to find an organic solution, but I guess maybe I'll have to resort to the slug pellets if I can't find an organic alternative!

[rowlandwells]

we started using phosphorus slug pellets that I believe are organic ?

[Yorkie]

Yes, ferric phosphate slug pellets are deemed acceptable for organic use

[snowdrops]

A garden club member mentioned last week at our ‘shop’ of which I’m now manager that all slug pellets were banned on 1st April, our vice chair checked this & apparently it is correct so I have removed them from the shelves.

[Yorkie]

Here is the gov.uk info:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/outdoor-use-of-metaldehyde-to-be-banned-to-protect-wildlife

So, the old style metaldehyde slug pellets are no longer allowed since the end of March. The newer, ferric phosphate, ones are still OK.

[grinling]

I would use porridge oats. If in a raised bed, then beetles eat slugs. Or a hedgehog.

[rowlandwells]

porridge oats that's a new one on me but if it works I say why not try it I assume you've been using this method Grinling and would you say in your opinion its a better way than phosphorus slug pellets more effective? and does the rain effect it and if the raised bed is netted it wouldn't be possible for a hedgehog to eat the slugs ? a bit more info on the method would be welcome

[mrs bouquet]

I do know about the slug pellet law, but have half a small container left, so will carefully (as always) use under some stones and use up.   Perhaps better than throwing away into landfill etc.   Mrs Bouquet

[grinling]

Ido not use slug pellets as they will poison the hedgehogs and birds and frogs etc. I found placing cheap porridge oats, dried, around edible plants, had them eating them which swell quickly. do add extra especially if raining. In a polytunnel I would use a plastic bottle or flowerpot for diect watering.
But there is a slug which eats slugs, or if a raised bed, add a black beetle, as they eat slugs, but release the beetle next day.
An old gardners world book recommends mowing the lawn at night to kill them 
Likewise I do not use ant powder as well have green woodpeckers which do.

[Yorkie]

Ido not use slug pellets as they will poison the hedgehogs and birds and frogs etc.

The ferric phosphate ones do not harm other species - see this report on the RHS trial of them.

I found placing cheap porridge oats, dried, around edible plants, had them eating them which swell quickly. do add extra especially if raining.

I would be nervous about using porridge oats as I think, if eaten dry, can swell in animals' guts and cause harm (like bread). But happy to be disproved on this point if wrong.

[Rob the rake]

we started using phosphorus slug pellets that I believe are organic ?

How are you getting on with them? Got to say I didn't find the ferric phosphate pellets terribly effective compared to metaldehyde, back when I still used them.
Incidentally, I notice that metaldehyde slug pellets were banned at the beginning of April of this year. About time, too.

[Rob the rake]

Diatomaceous earth is often recommended for problem situations involving slugs and snails; it's sharpness giving them a hard time. I have to confess to never having used the stuff, but it seems to come heartily recommended and doesn't appear to have the obvious drawbacks of other solutions, being environmentally benign.

Incidentally, since I began digging sharp sand into my beds the amount of slug damage has been considerably less. A 20kg bag will only set you back a couple of quid and it may be advantageous to ring the plants with it.

[grinling]

The RHS one was several years ago and none were very effective. I cannot find results on bird population, but RHS has now said to live with slugs as only 9 species eat plants.