Gardener's Note: NOW IS THE HOUR! Keep all decaying matter cleaned out of your garden beds. While leaves make a good mulch, once they begin to compost they become food and shelter for slugs.
~ Slug & Hostas
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The Lowly Slug
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Awaiting your arrival
Equipped with salt and beer,
I knew it wouldn't be too long
Before you would appear.
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Tempting tender morsels
Enticing hosta leaves,
Lure you to my garden
You're one of my pet peeves.
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You lack an eye for beauty
Contently chomping away,
A coward too, at night you chew
Afraid of me by day.
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A homely, slimy pest you are
Colorless and pale,
Yet I feel a bit of pity ...
You're just a homely snail.
Comments
This slug-snail thing can become a hosta lovers bad dream. They are active at night and can do a lot of damage in a single night. There are many baits and killers on the market but you have to be careful, especially with small kids and pets.
Keeping your hostas looking good is a bit of work but rewarding at the same time. Three years ago we found our first snail here--just like the one in the center of your composite. Then the past years they have multiplied like crazy and can be found all over the place. I know they must have come into our nursery in a pot of something and now I find them at all nurseries. Last year a friend said they were first observed at her nursery 4 years earlier.
Hostas are a super plant from a couple inches tall to over 5-6 feet. If you haven't tried them yet, they are worth a try!
George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
http://thevermontgardener.blogspot.com
Indeed slugs are a nuisance, George. Sorry about your nasty issues at the nursery. Hostas are heavenly. I confess I'm an addict and have several hundred ... those in the photos are mine and that's my ICKY slug!
Thanks Gina. I 'crave' hosta and can't get my fill. As I mentioned to George above, I'm an addict! Yes, the silly ditty is mine :)
I love hostas, too, but I certainly don't have as many as you. I planted several new ones last fall, but they have yet to emerge. I hope it's just because it's been such a cool spring.
One summer, my nephew and I collected snails and built houses for them in shoeboxes. They had little bowls of water and grass to eat ... he was about 4 at the time and captivated by the slimy trails they would leave as they tried to escape from their beds.
I am so ready for spring! My friend Linda and I went to Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids where durng the months of March and April, they have thousands of butterflies flying freely in their conservatory. Many different types are there and you can spend as much time as you like viewing/photographing them. I know you're a Michigan gal, so if you ever want a fun day trip, jump on 96 over to G.R. and visit Meijer Gardens if you haven't before.
Keep up your fine work, Sheila, from west Michigan
BUTTERFLY CONVERVATORY on the island? Another lovely spot. I have a post from my visit (July 18,2007 Archives).
Galloping Gourmet ... glad you like my slug ... you can have him!
Here is one of my old favorite Escargot recipes.
Escargots Bourguignonne
For 36 snails prepare butter as follows: Cream 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter with 2 tsp. finely chopped shallot, 2 crushed garlic cloves, and 1 tsp. each of finely chopped parsley and chives. Season with coarse salt & cracked pepper to taste. Add a bit of butter mixture in each clean shell (or mushroom cap) and cover with remaining butter. Pour 2 Tbsp. white wine into flat baking dish or snail plates. Arrange snails in dish and sprinkle with fine bread crumbs. Bake in very hot 450-degree oven or under broiler until crumbs are golden brown. Serve immediately with plenty of fresh French bread. Bon appetit!