How to protect your garden from pests naturally

Slugs are just one of many gardeners nightmares. Keeping chemicals out of your garden is not only a boon for wildlife,its also a boon for ones own health, and the healthy maintenance of your soil.

Using chemicals to kill slugs,ie- slug pellets etc is a nightmare for our important wildlife. No we don't want slugs eating our cabbages and lettuce etc. However slug pellets contain very toxic chemicals. So what happens if we use slug pellets ?-yes the slugs usually die,yes you vegetables and plants won't be eaten by them.- But everything on this earth has a purpose even slugs.

Many species of birds which hopefully visit your garden,enjoy slugs as an important part of their diet. Not only birds our lovely hedgehogs love slugs and really do need them as food.

So what happens when a bird swoops down and grabs a slug who has just been poisoned by a slug pellet.?-well the bird ingests not only the slug but also the poison. The bird -(if its lucky) gets back to its nest to feed its chicks--so now not only has mom or dad been poisoned their babies have as well.

Alternative methods to keep slugs away from your vegetables/ plants.--

Broken egg shells/grit/sand around the base of each plant or group of plants,disenable any energetic slug getting to its destination.

Margerine tubs or jamjars filled with beer ,inset into the soil,with the top level with soil level.The slugs get attracted to the smell go over to investigate and have a taste get tipsy and fall in and drown.

Encourage hedgehogs into your garden-leave a little wild area with broken twigs/leaves,they will eat your slugs.

Encourage more wild birds into your garden to feast on the slugs- Establish nest boxes,hedges ,trees,bird tables.

Establish/maintain a garden pond,to encourage frogs and toads,who love eating slugs.