Alan Titchmarsh has become an Instagram sensation, dishing out top gardening tips on his page.
As gardeners gear up for spring planting, Alan’s latest advice on fending off slugs and snails is bound to save many a plant from destruction. The pesky creatures are a nuisance throughout the year but really come into their own when a warm but soggy British spring provides them with optimum conditions to run rampant in gardens.
To combat these slimy invaders, Alan has shared a simple yet effective method that has kept his potted hosta plants pristine and hole-free, reports the Express.
In a recent video post, the celebrity gardener revealed: “Pot feet and a dry spring are the answer to the question ‘Why don’t your hosta leaves have holes in them?’
“Wet springs and easy access to the emerging buds suit slugs and snails much better!” The footage shows Alan’s hostas sitting comfortably off the ground on pot feet, safe from the critters.
His hostas, nestled in a terracotta pot, boast luscious greenery, a sight any garden lover would envy.
The tip was an instant hit, with the clip racking up over 3,400 likes and sparking a flurry of comments. Fans couldn’t resist chiming in with their gratitude and personal tricks to outsmart slugs and snails.
@sue_heart_designs praised the idea, saying: “Thanks for the tip, I will get some pot feet right away.” While @mullylife shared their ingenious solution: “Genius idea. I use corks for my pots. The larger ones are on wheels. So far so good.”
@carolinesylvester shared her slug-battling tips online, posting: “I put vaseline around the rim of the pots (reapply every week), but you must check them every week or you’ll end up with a feast.”
She added: “I also add coffee grounds to the base of the plant and I make a chilli and garlic spray to spray on the leaves.” Meanwhile, @emsadventures chimed in with her own method, exclaiming: “I swear by beer traps. They’ve seriously changed my life. No more slugs.”
And @carringtosharon advised fellow gardeners, saying: “Vaseline round top of pot and they slip off and for ones in the ground, beer in a pot works great.”
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