What's happening to my beans

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Kimberley, Sep 4, 2016.

  1. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Slugs much prefer young bean plants so I plant all my beans (200 of them) in trays and small pots. when they are larger (about 9" high) I then plant them out. I use porous weed suppressant plastic and plant through those, put a light sprinkling of slug pellets around and chicken wire around the whole area of beans. The wire keeps out the rabbits and would keep out dogs. :blue thumb:

    The plastic remains down all year so does away with the need to weed the area. Each winter the chicken wire is moved back, the plastic rolled back, compost dug in then plastic and wire replaced.

    The plastic stops most of the slugs. :hapydancsmil:
     
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    • Kimberley

      Kimberley Gardener

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      Thank you
       
    • Kimberley

      Kimberley Gardener

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      Just checked my seeds, the plants I had started were Blue Lake french runner beans..so it looks like planting more
       
    • DavidC1951

      DavidC1951 Apprentice Gardener

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      I tried oatmeal on slugs for the first time this year. It isn't 100% effective, (what is?) but it does kill slugs and there's a certain sadistic pleasure when you find one which has gorged itself and then literally exploded when the oatmeal has swollen. Other than that I can only echo Shiney about growing seedlings on a little before planting outside.
       
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      • Kimberley

        Kimberley Gardener

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        My beans were started off in my grew house. I've purchased more nematodes and organic gel slug killer fingers crossed that these beasties stay away. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions
         
      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        It's getting a bit late in the season for nematodes so don't buy any more this year. Most sellers will stop selling them when it's time to stop. :blue thumb:
         
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