by Monya
Corns
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
Master Gardener
Larimer County
Slug Control
When using diatomaceous earth to control slugs, a fine mesh kitchen sifter will
allow you to break up lumps and have control over the dusty powder. You can
lay down a line of the powder without getting the irritating dust all over you.
Make sure you label the sifter “for garden only.”
Diatomaceous earth is comprised of microscopic plants that form silica shells.
Large deposits of their "skeletons" have been mined and are used as
a soil top-dressing to combat burrowing insects such as ants, fungal gnats and
various other adult and larval insect forms. This product can be purchased at
any local nursery.
Used fabric softener sheets
Save those used sheets to line containers. Place the sheets over the pot holes
and fill the container as usual. The fabric sheets will keep the soil in the
container when watered, but allows for drainage.
Saucer in a Basket
Hanging baskets dry out quickly in the wind. Also, plants tend to be planted
tightly, so they are hard to keep watered. Create a moisture reservoir by placing
a saucer in the bottom of the basket. (Coasters or old pie pans work well.)
Set the saucer inside the liner, then add soil and plants as usual. When watered,
the saucer will prevent some water from draining out of the basket.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.
Return to Master Gardener Articles