[jellytot_kt]

Hi, I desperately want an allotment, but having fractured my back last year its been decided i should stick to a mini veg patch to begin with, then perhaps when im stronger (maybe next year?) ill get my own allotment so for the time being its a case of having a 10/15 metre patch in the back garden. ive been growing veg in tubs for a while, and was bought up in the countryside with small holdings so i have a bit of background knowledge, but this will be the first time im planting in the ground independantly. (bear with me, i tend to yabba on a bit).

So, i know its late to be starting, but does anyone know any nurseries/garden centres etc in mansfield area that have veg plants or seed potatoes?

Also, i have a terrible problem with slugs! they are everywhere! more manageable in tubs, but im scared about planting in the ground when they are about. i have two tiny dogs - a sausage dog and a mini yorkie, who love eating the slugs, but then get poorly because of it. I've considered the bran thing, but reckon it must just wash away, yeah?, and ive checked on the packets of these chemical slug pellets( i was hoping to go organic) but they all say keep away from pets as they are deadly to them. Theres no guarantee of my dogs staying away from them even if i train them, so what can i do?!!?!

please help! thanks ,

katie x

[gregmcalister]

Hi Katie, if I was you I would get a tub or two of Growing Success organic slug pellets which are safe for kids and pets. They work in a different way to conventional slug controls and they will make a difference. The last time I looked they were £3.50 in the garden centre.

[blue_cortina]

...and they will make a difference. The last time I looked they were £3.50 in the garden centre.

Agreed - got mine from good old Wilkos...

[compostqueen]

as you're at home you can go out with the torch and hand pick them off. There are beer traps and upturned grapefruit skins will net you some slugs

They are bad at the mo due to all the rain but they're less of a problem when the sun shines  .  

You can use those biological controls that you water on. Expensive but I understand they're good

You can get veg plants locally from Dukeries Garden Centre or Richards at Holmewood, or online from say Fothergills or Marshalls.  Or ask on Freecycle  

[jellytot_kt]

thankyou all so much, im going to try a bit of everything i think, picking them off by hand with a torch and an organic treatment to get the ones who are hiding. i went in wilkos today but didnt see any pet friendly slug killer at all, ill try again later this week.
i will also try those garden centres, thankyou so much

yay, im so pleased to have found this forum!

[M0rph3u5]

I can defo recommend the torch treatment (done it myself) find em and launch them into road or other space

organic treatment can be effective but must be checked daily for results

basically when it rains go slug hunting and sling...

[digalotty]

you can also find the slug pellets in b&q got some myself yesterday same price

[dugless]

you could just put a little salt on them and watch them melt.

[Ice]

Hi Katie.  If you have back problems I would suggest using raised beds.  There are loads of postings on here about how to do them and their pros and cons.  If you can't find any just ask on here.

Personally I use conventional slug pellets and net off my beds so that hedgehogs can't eat them.  Kills 'em stone dead (the slugs that is).

Havn't used the other type but if someone can vouch for their effectiveness then I will try them.

[jellytot_kt]

definately looking into raised beds, although i need to start looking quickly hehe! problem is i cant lift them by myself and my car is tiny so i couldnt fit the wood in if it was long. i wonder if anyone knows where i could get pre cut cheap wood, or maybe even to be delivered cheaply? im living in mansfield, so preferably in that area, or lincolnshire which is my other haunt.

got some growing sucess slug pellets so im gonna try them, and the grapefruit, beer and torch methods as theres plenty to kill off !!

thankyou all so much

[lotstodo]

Hi katie sorry I've not replied before now, holidays, kids and work anyway day off today to catch up. I'm not far from you, we use peggs in mansfield woodhouse. Prices arn't bad but not sure about delivery - but worth a try. Also a good little garden centre in rainworth just off the roundabout from mansfield going into the village. Hope this helps.

Can't help with the slug problem as we have some chucks in our garden and they tend to gobble them up.   Great pets but do tend to help out a little too much with the veg patch. Now we have an allotment and the pests down there have legs. fur and jump.  :roll:

[Cleo]

Hi Katie,

 I pick them off and salt them. One good evenings work once a week and they are kept to a manageable level. Just after the rain is a good time.

[jellytot_kt]

thankyou all so much! im going to nip down to peggs in woodhouse as i work close by

blooming slugs . eww.

[compostqueen]

I bought some raised beds from Morton in Derbyshire, which is not far from Mansfield. They are called Link-a-bord, made from recycled plastic and are easy to put up as all the parts (there aren't many) link together
We worked out it was as cheap to get these as buy timber, nails and paint.  I collected mine in the car to save on delivery. Very good peeps and they'll be happy to see you. They have a web site and if you just Google Link-a-Bord you'll find it easily. Morton is near Tibshelf so not far from you at all.  Being idle I plonked mine on weedy lotty but I did lay down some good strong cardboard first.

[rictic]

Hello Katie

Try Dalestorth garden centre opposite the Fox & Crown at Skegby, not sure what they have in now but I find them the best for veg plants.

Rictic.