Having sown some rocket & lettuce seeds in a thin layer of seed-raising mix on top of the rich worm-farm compost in my old recycling tub planter, and watched them germinate (see last post), we went away for a while to Tasmania. Luckily it rained while we were away, and the rich soil holds moisture like a sponge, so I returned to find a big juicy crop of rocket, ready for eating.
But I have a confession to make... snails/slugs ate the lettuce seedlings!
Those slimy, seedling eating critters have been prolific this year. I had their population well under control for a while, collecting them early in the morning and feeding them to the chooks, their favourite protein-packed snack. But I've been lazy, and lately I haven't seen many of the little lizards who used to gobble them up, either.
Luckily I know an easy trick for collecting slugs: leaving upside-down plant saucers on moist soil overnight. The slugs love to snuggle under them, and in the morning I can simply present the chooks with breakfast on a plate! As for the snails, it's a matter of an early morning stroll, collecting them in a bucket. Other gardeners use a range of tricks including beer traps, crushed eggshells, sawdust, and more, but the "Chook Brekky" technique works for me.
Why did the rocket survive?
Well apparently I have gourmet snails and slugs and they much prefer sweet green lettuce seedlings, and will often leave alone the slightly spicy or bitter greens, like rocket or red lettuces.
Anyway, the rocket was delicious tossed over homemade pizza last night, and thoroughly enjoyed by us and our friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment