Rain, Rain, Go Away...

Let’s face it – we’re all talking about it, and we’re all tired of it…including our gardens! This years’ extensive moisture is causing many issues for Alberta Gardeners. Here are some of the complications we’re seeing and some tips to help you cope!

  

Slug

Safers Slug & Snail Bait

Slugs

Our recent moist weather has slugs cheering! They hide in dark, moist places in daylight then devour our plants at night. Slugs eat double their weight every day, preferring succulent green foliage.

To start to battle slugs, it’s important to eliminate their favourite habitats.

  • Trim shrub branches that touch the ground
  • Keep your garden weed free – by hoeing, you’ll disturb slugs and their eggs.
  • Moist mulch is a favourite habitat; mulch laden with eggs (white, jelly like pellets) should be removed in spring, and turned over in winter to expose eggs to frost.
  • The best time to spot these slimy creatures is in the evening and early morning hours. As they move, slugs produce a string of slime. As this trail attracts other slugs, it’s important to remove the trail by turning soil over with a trowel.
  • Follow the trail; you’ll probably find the slug. If hand picking is not your first choice, here are some suggestions for removing slugs:
  
Slug Traps – Whether you use a purchased trap, plastic container or half of a grapefruit rind, slugs are attracted to a good drink of stale beer. Slugs crawl into traps and drown.

Safer’s Slug and Snail Bait – After slugs ingest this bait, they cease feeding and die within 3-6 days. The active ingredient ferric phosphate will not harm pets or birds.

Corry’s Slug and Snail Bait – This easy to use granular slug killer is extremely effective. The bait lures slugs form their hiding places and kills them. The active ingredient metaldehyde can be harmful to pets and birds. Use with caution; remove dead slugs immediately so pets or birds do not eat them.

Other deterrents to try:  Save your eggshells and coffee grounds. Once dry, grind them finely and spread around plants. The sharp edges irritate slugs. Sawdust spread beneath plants also works as a great deterrent.

Slime Mold

Dog Vomit Slime Mold

Probably the most interesting mold we come across in gardens is a slime mold that you guessed it….resembles dog vomit.

Utterly harmless to people and pets, Fuligo septica is edible and actually scrambled and eaten like eggs by Native people in some parts of Mexico. It actually moves slowly, and consumes bacteria and fungi that are on decomposing plant material.

Slime molds help break down plant matter, which aids the microorganisms essential to the healthy growth of plants. In our area during wet seasons it is most often found on bark mulch. If the mold bothers you, simply rake out of the mulch and place into your composter.

  

 

   Elm Wilting Leaves

Wilting and Yellowing Leaves

When leaves curl, it’s often instinct that has us grabbing the watering can to save a thirsty plant. But what many gardeners may not know is that wilting leaves are also a direct symptom of too much moisture.

Several shrubs are exhibiting wilting or curled leaves right now; Amur Cherry, Lilacs, Mountain Ash, Tomatoes and many more. Though there is not a product that can be applied to help the plants out, ensure once soil dries and it is safe to water that you fertilize with a high phosphorous fertilizer to help root systems recover.

Good choices would be Plant Prod 15-30-15 or Plant Prod Root Booster.

 
  Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Excessive moisture combined with poor drainage and plenty of sunlight provide perfect growth medium for fungi. If there is a low spot in your lawn, consider remedying that, probably next spring, by adding topsoil before the grass gets going. If the mushroom' shade can be decreased by trimming away tree branches or trimming bushes, you can do that now.

The great thing about weeding out mushrooms is that the root systems are not extensive – so easy enough for any child to help!

  


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