Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh has divulged a nifty trick to prevent slugs and snails from wreaking havoc on plants, and his followers are keen to try it out.
As spring blossoms, gardening enthusiasts are eagerly sprucing up their gardens for the upcoming sunny days. However, the season’s sporadic downpours also signal an invasion of pesky garden critters.
The damp and mild conditions create a paradise for slugs and snails, posing a significant challenge for those aiming to keep their flora in tip-top shape. But fear not, as Alan has come forward with sage advice to halt these molluscs in their slimy tracks.
He took to Instagram with a video explaining his technique, which, although demonstrated on his Hosta plant, can be applied to any potted greenery.
Alan’s top tip is to invest in pot feet to elevate your planters. His Instagram video was captioned with a savvy explanation: “Pot feet and a dry spring are the answer to the question ‘Why don’t your hosta leaves have holes in them?’ Wet springs and easy access to the emerging buds suit slugs and snails much better!”, reports the Mirror.
Enthusiastic fans have been quick to react, with one commenting: “Thanks for the tips, I will get some pot feet!” Others chimed in with their own tried-and-tested methods.
One said: “I put vaseline around the rim of the pots (reapply every week) you must check the pot for slugs first otherwise you just trap them in with a great feast.”
Another one advised: “I also add coffee grounds around the base of the plant and I make a chilli and garlic spray to spray on the leaves… I also have beer traps scattered all round the garden. I personally wouldn’t plant hostas in the ground as it’s near impossible to control the slugs.”
Another gardening enthusiast chimed in: “I swear by beer traps. They’ve seriously changed my life … no more slugs.”
This comes after a woman shared her quick and easy hack to determine whether plants need watering.
TikTok user Samantha Rose revealed: “My dad taught me one of the best garden hacks. This is going to save you a lot of time, and a lot of plant’s lives. The best way to tell if your plant needs water? Just kick the pot.”
In her video, she demonstrates that if the pot doesn’t move after being kicked, the plant doesn’t require additional water. She explained: “If it doesn’t move, it doesn’t need water. If it moves, it needs water.”
This ingenious gardening tip has garnered over 81,000 likes from online users who found it clever. One person admitted: “Not going to lie as a professional horticulturist, I walk around the greenhouses doing this all day and tipping hanging baskets.”
