Watering plants in the morning rather than late in the day can help deter slugs and snails, according to horticulturist and broadcaster Peter Dowdall, known as The Irish Gardener. He explained that this practice gives plants the moisture they need while allowing the surface of the soil and foliage to dry as the day progresses.
“It also avoids creating especially favourable conditions around vulnerable plants just as slugs and snails are becoming active in the evening,” he said.
Natural Balance in the Garden
Peter acknowledged that slugs and snails can be “one of the most frustrating parts of gardening,” especially when young plants, vegetables, or fresh new growth seem to disappear almost overnight. By August, gardens are full of mature growth and shaded areas, providing plenty of shelter for these creatures, while vegetables and softer-leaved plants remain vulnerable to damage.
Rather than seeking to eliminate them entirely, Peter emphasised the importance of natural balance. “Slugs and snails are not simply pests. They are part of the wider food web of the garden. They feed on living and decaying plant material, while in turn they provide food for other creatures such as birds, hedgehogs and frogs,” he explained.
Protecting Vulnerable Plants
Peter advised concentrating efforts on protecting young plants, vegetables, and any plants particularly attractive to slugs and snails. Physical barriers such as sheep's wool, coarse horticultural grit, or other rough, dry materials can be placed around vulnerable plants to make access more difficult. Copper tape can also help around individual plants or containers.
He urged gardeners to use these barriers selectively, only on plants that need protection, rather than making the entire garden hostile to these creatures. Regular checks and hand removal of slugs are recommended if numbers become excessive.
Observation and Plant Choice
Peter also encouraged gardeners to be observant, particularly when choosing plants. If a plant needs replacing year after year, it may be worth questioning whether it is the right choice for that spot. “Strong, established plants growing in conditions that suit them are also much better able to tolerate a little damage,” he said.
“August is a useful month for observing all of this as you can see which plants have suffered, which have coped and where the damage is worst. That tells you far more than simply counting slugs.”
Peter concluded: “The aim is not a garden without slugs and snails, it is a garden where plants, pests and predators exist together in a natural balance, and where we intervene only enough to protect the things we value most.”
