Slug it out: why gastropods are good for your garden

Mild weather brings out slimy creatures. Protect plants, but remember snails and slugs are vital for a healthy ecosystemMild weather means we enjoy our gardens more, but slugs and snails - the dreaded gastropods, tend to enjoy our gardens more, too. Just like us, warmer weather and luscious plant growth are very inviting to these slimy creatures, bringing them out to feast on our much-loved young plants. While it's tempting to reach for slug and snail pellets, there are good reasons to go for an organic approach.The slimy crew actually play an important role in a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. They are a succulent morsel for many creatures, from toads to hedgehogs and even glowworm larvae, which are specially adapted to eating these creatures. On biting their victim, glowworm larvae deliver a fatal dose of poison, which paralyses the poor creature and begins to turn it into a soup that the larvae can easily slurp down. Not my idea of a yummy supper, but each to their own. Continue reading...