Planted half my mixed lettuce seedlings in polytunnel and half outside. Not surprisingly, the polytunnel ones are vibrant, growing strongly and no slug damage. Outside in compost in an April that is slug paradise they are growing less strongly and holed to ribbons. I am cleaningthe compost of leaves and weeds regularly.
Have tried cutting plastic bottles into 3 inch high collars and pushing them into the compost round the seedlings. I collared half of them to see if it made any difference. After 5 days the collared ones have made a good recovery, some growth from the middle and no new chewing. Have some more babies to put out later so will collar half from the beginning to see if there is a continuing difference. Will report back when they are starting to outgrow the collars.
I am not a plastic bottle fan, but as they are a fact of life, they may as well be put to good use.
