Last year slugs voraciously ate my newly planted Dahlias while I went on vacations. I think it caused later blooms and one didn't make it at all. Diatomaceous Earth from the local feed store was sprinkled on them before my third trip and they left the plants alone then. It's sharp for things that small, and not poisonous.
It sounds like a board near the compost heap should be helpful for me in the future.
