I am about to give up gardening because of these horrible spawns of Satan. For the past 2 seasons, they have all but annihilated my entire garden. I've tried: protecting seedlings and beds with small-mesh chicken wire, beer traps, and midnight reconnaissance missions where I hand-picked them out of my beds and chucked them as hard as I could into oblivion. I even resorted to a snail bait that I was told was safe around pets, but I was afraid to use too much. This year, I've been thinking about trying raised beds, or a variation on them-- using cinder blocks for borders. My thinking is that having defined beds may make it easier for me to use some type of "bordering" protection (like copper or salt). But I also think it might be cool to try and plant INSIDE the cinder blocks (in the hollow part) some type of plant that deters the snails. So on to my question: Does anyone have any suggestions as to what types of plants snails avoid? Or at least dislike enough to stay away a little bit? Thanks so much!!
Lavender, Thyme, Sage, Geraniums and Mint,,,I have read that these plants will keep them away. You could plant mint in the cinderblock openings, it will hang down to cover the blocks, the blocks will keep it contained and the snails will avoid it too. Also, there is something in copper that adversely reacts with the slime on their bodies, You can get copper tape from a hardware store and wrap strips around planters, decorative and useful. Products containing metaldehyde or methiocarb should be avoided, that stuff will kill pretty much all wildlife through direct contact and secondary contact like when one critter eats another that has been killed by it....it will also kill off you earthworms. Iron Phosphate is a safer pesticide to use, they stop eating immediately and die shortly thereafter.
Great- I'm definitely going to give the mint a try. Do you think it's best to stick with one type, or a mix of different plants?
Any of the mints will do the job, the essential oil in them is the insect repellent. There are so many different types of mint I would get one or more of each. They make great iced tea additives in the summer or additions to salads too. And they just smell great in the garden when you rub a couple of leaves between your fingers, the fragrance is a great mood lifter.
So far I haven't seen any snails... but it's nice to know that mint will keep them away. Wait... come to think of it. We have lots of mint growing in a couple of spots.. perhaps that's why I haven't noticed any snails?
Daniela, while you are waiting for your mint to grow (which should be about 10 minutes!) you can try ditomaceous (sp?) earth. It is non-toxic and has sharp edges that cut the snails' bellies open. It is also used as a soil additive, so it will be beneficial in two ways. If you can't find the DE, mason's sand (not children's sandbox sand), which is also sharp, sprinkled around the plants or on the entire garden acts about the same. It just isn't as beneficial, although it does no harm. Anyone living in Hawaii should be able to grow anything without snails destroying the garden! After all, you have to put up with that horrid weather .
