Garden pix

[ProfessorM]

Finally got the netting up for the blueberries, as usual I am late. It is pretty hard to get up by yourself and an 8 year older but we did it. The birds, catbirds, cardinals, robins, are so pissed. All they did was squawk as i was putting it up and when I walked away they immediately tried to get in. I am sure they will go for the uncovered black raspberries now. I still need to make up some more stakes at work tonite so I am sure I will have to let a few out tomorrow. I have learned that if you let the birds that do figure a way in stay in the netting all day and nite instead of getting them out fast they usually will never return as it must be too stressful for them and they learn. With all this rain my berries plants are so over grown this year. It will help though for one of my most prolific years fruit wise though. It will just be tough walking around the bushes as most of the branches are so loaded with fruit they are hanging on the ground. Got 1 variety right now that is ready to go and the majority of the crop 2 to 3 weeks away. Wish my tomatoes look as good.

Any one else got some garden pics to see what this wet year is doing to your garden either good or bad?

[FishermanTim]

For slugs there are a few options that can be effective, depending on how dedicated you are to saving your plants.

Diatamaceous powder should work, as it is the residue of seashells and crustacean shells which have sharp edges.

Egg shells, ground up will do the same thing, and will eventually breakdown and fertilize the soil.

Beer traps work REALLY well, and unlike the prior options, aren't designed to drive slugs away, but attract them. I would set out a half dozen old catfood or tuna cans filled with ANY kind of beer (even non-alcoholic types) and placed OUTSIDE of your planting areas. They will attract EVERY slug in your yard.
See, the slugs are attracted to the smell of the brew, not the alcohol, so even slightly diluted beer will still work (since we've been having so much rain). You will have to empty the cans daily at first, as the slug slime will thicken the beer into an oozy sticky stinking mess.
But, it really does work.

Good luck.