How To: Make a Natural Slug Repellent

Whilst it is true that one of gardening's greatest pleasures is being able to welcome in and marvel at some of Mother Nature’s charming and intriguing characters; sadly, not all guests are always on their best behaviour. And, if you have ever tried to grow dahlias, sweet peas, hostas, or delphiniums, to name but a few, you will know that slugs can show themselves to be particularly peckish pests.

So, if you need some assistance in taking those tender green growths off your molluscs' menu, look no further than our simple slug deterrent. Sure to prove as easy to make as it is effective, follow the recipe below for an all-natural solution to uninvited diners.

Add two whole garlic bulbs to a large saucepan and fill with two litres of water.

Boil the water until the bulbs are soft, then squash them with a fork to release as much juice as possible. (You may wish to open a window at this point...!)

Pass through a sieve to remove the skin and the garlic pulp, leaving a just a cloudy liquid concentrate.

Dilute two tablespoons of the liquid concentrate into five litres of fresh water.

Use a garden spray bottle or watering can to apply the diluted concentrate to your plants once a week, from February to October, and re-applying after rainfall.