[skatenchips]

As this is our 1st proper season for strawberry growing I built a raised bed 8 ft x 4 ft
and filled it with compost/top soil and have planted 12 Flamenco plants in.

Yesterday I have started to build my defences around its perimeter ( all very Colditz sounding)
and seeded some marigold between the rows and salads around the edge....such as......

Lollo Rossa
Basil
Leaf Salad mixed leaves
Parsley
Chives
Radish (jolly)

Its a Smorgasbord of snax for the visiting slug/snail population that enjoys their daily slime trail
across my Lotty to stop off and feast on so that they are full by the time they get to our Strawbs.

Would this be a deterrent,or are there other plants worth growing that would deter them better.

any successes/suggestions folks  ?

Gazza

[Goosegirl]

Not sure - it might make them think...well, that was a nice snack - now, what's for dinner..? Would the smell of strawberries also attract them despite what's else is there? I use that black netting in packs from Wilko - you can also buy it in lengths from a roll. I made a hooped frame from a series of bamboo canes with a length of old hosepipe between them as a support, then put it over and secured it across its length by tying it to the middle of the hosepipe. The edges are secured down with lengths of Wilko's replacement rotary washing line so I just have to lift the edges of the netting to access the fruit. They do scratch the skin somewhat though. Snails and slugs can't sneak under and all I have to contend with are the underground slugs. I scatter a few slug pellets around as the birds and other animals can't get to them.

[JayG]

I'm pretty dubious about the "sacrificial" type of companion planting (like nasturtiums planted next to beans; surely you want something that discourages blackfly rather than providing a 5-star hotel and breeding ground for them?)

Lettuce and to some extent radish are slug-magnets, so would agree with GG that netting (needed against birds in any case) and slug bait is the best plan, which should allow you to grow your other crops as well (subject to everything having enough space.)

(Never seem to hear anyone mentioning using galvanised wire made into inverted "U" shaped hoops to support netting these days - cheap, easy, versatile and re-usable!) 

[Trillium]

I agree with the others - little point advertising - free lunch but no supper - when in fact, there's supper in full glory.

But things like chives and marigolds will attract hoverflies and bees, which you do want even if they do nothing against slugs.

[shokkyy]

If you're worried about slugs but want to stay organic, you could try using the Growing Success Slug Killer, which is certified for organic use and completely safe around kids, pets and wildlife, doesn't hurt anything but slugs. I use it and it does work very well.

[katiekate]

I had more probs with ants and woodlice! how do you stop these??

[JayG]

I had more probs with ants and woodlice! how do you stop these??

Was that in open ground or in a strawberry planter?

The reason I ask is that several years ago I was given a strawberry planter as a present so had to use it (as you do!) and the plants were sad and stunted. Turned out that the little holes were perfect refuges for woodlice.

Wouldn't have thought that either ants or woodlice were a big problem for strawberries grown in open ground but...................

[shokkyy]

My main problem is squirrels, because strawberries seem to be their very favourite food. I used to peg down netting but the little gits just pulled out the pegs and crawled underneath. Last year I used massive stones to hold down the netting all the way around and that seemed to work, except for the fruit that were close enough for them to grab if they stuck an arm through the netting.

[SUTTY1]

Hope the companion planting helps but got to suggest my favourite attack that i've used for 3yrs. Beer Traps. You can start now and catch'em while there young.
I set 2 last week in a 9ft x 9ft bed and got 20'ish tonight and my chickens love them.

Bad Point: 6 chickens singing "Little Old Wine Drinker Me" gets boring after a while

[mikem]

I used straw underneath the plants/strawberries last year and that seemed to deter most of them.

[katiekate]

JayG: Mine are grown in car tyres so maybe that's the problem. I'm going to create a bed this year as, well, I want more strawbs!

SUTTY1: catching squirrels in beer traps, never would have thought..

[skatenchips]

Thanks for any and all comments.although must be said nobody mentioned using the barrier
method as I have...but hey...no worries...Im going to continue with this as a trial....and if our straw crop has a beter survival rate than last year we will have achieved summit....but if as suggested it becomes a meal ticket after sampling the freebies I will have learned a lesson.....still nothing ventured I say.

Suggestions........

Like the idea of the beer,as it gives me an excuse for a swift half whilst down the Lotty
(writes note to self) can I purchase a fridge powered by Solar panels..!!!!!

Did the straw thing last year and me thinks the little * snooooze in it by day and
come out for a snack by night.

netting(dont suffer with birds)...small passing children yes....any good traps for those ......JOKE joke  !!!!!!!!!!!

Slug killer being organic sounds Ok though....dont wanna be killing all me wandering hedge hogs

Yes I will be planting salads elsewhere But as this is our 1st year of using seeds and NOT buying plants I didnt think a little extra sprinkle of seeds would hurt around the strawbs....well see.

Cheers for any and all comments.....

Gazza