Slugs remain active at this time of year, and if it is a mild winter, they may well stay active right through until spring.
One disadvantage of autumn is that it tends to be wetter, so slugs are more active than they might be in the height of summer during a dry spell.
There are some very simple things you can do to help keep damage to a minimum and these would be our three go-to’s.
- Keep your plot tidy and weed-free – this helps to remove hiding places for slugs and snails and is arguably the most useful thing you can do to keep numbers down. Remove old decaying leaves as well, especially from brassicas, as these attract slugs and snails.
- Try Strulch – this straw-based mulch really is a great product and we do find that it helps to protect plants from slugs. The added benefit is that it will protect the soil from harsh winter weather as well and will help to keep weeds down. If you can afford a few bags, it’s well worth it. Don’t use it on very young plants, and be sure to leave a circle of space around each pant when you lay it rather than tucking it right up against the stems. (Search online and check their FAQs before use – we’re not affiliated with the brand in any way, we just like their product!)
- Use copper tape around pots – for pot-grown veggies, this is a fairly easy and effective way to keep them off your plants.