| I have some foxglove growing in my yard and I noticed they are becoming infested with snails. They are almost finish blooming so should I cut them back or pull them out. Also, what do you recommend I use to prevent snails in the future? |
| Snails and slugs are common pests of foxglove. Many foxglove are perennial or they self-sow quite readily, so if you want them again next year, let the flowers dry and go to seed, or cut them back to save the plant. You can try to deter snails by putting a barrier around your plants. Copper strips are expensive, but effective. You can also use crushed egg shells or diatomaceous earth around the stems of your plants. If you can sprinkle dry soil around the stems, that will deter them, too. Another way to lower the population is to go out at night with a flashlight and harvest any snails you see. If you eliminate hiding places in your garden, they may go elsewhere to feast. Remove any plant debris that might provide moisture and shade for the critters. You can set up a trap by inverting a terra-cotta flower pot in your garden, propping it up with a stone so the snails will crawl under and into it. In the morning, remove the collection of snails that you find hiding in the trap. Good luck! |
