Hello Allotment Online readers,

I’m Stuart from Pretty Wild Seeds, chances are you’ve had a run-in with snails or slugs. These slow-moving molluscs might seem harmless, but they can wreak havoc on your garden, especially during the damp spring and autumn months.

Snails and slugs are notorious for munching through tender seedlings, leaves, and even flowers. Hostas, lettuce, dahlias, and young vegetable plants are some of their favourite snacks. Often, they feed at night or during wet conditions, leaving behind a trail of silvery slime and ragged holes in foliage — a frustrating sight for any green thumb. Unfortunately with the UK’s mild, wet climate creates the perfect environment for slugs and snails to thrive. Gardens with plenty of hiding spots — like damp mulch, rocks, or dense ground cover — give them shelter during the day, allowing them to return night after night.

One of the best things we’ve been able to do since opening our garden centre at John Dobbin Road, Darlington, DL1 1US is hear the stories of local gardeners and their troubles and really see more of a well-rounded picture of just what is going wrong in gardens up and down the country. It became clear to us that something needed to be done about slugs and snails and it was after discussions with customers that it became apparent that we needed two methods.

Our first one is an anti-snail and slug mix which contains flowers and herbs to encourage the pests to stay away from your prized garden, and the second was a new product called Slug Killer Max which, if used as directed is safe for children and pets. I think gardeners nationwide can have confidence in these two products from our Budget Seeds website to help them have a fruitful growing season in 2025. Interestingly, however, not all slugs and snails are bad news. Some species feed on decaying plant matter and help with composting. It’s all about balance — managing the pests without harming the ecosystem of your garden.

So next time you spot a snail, remember: with the right strategy, you can protect your plants and keep your garden thriving.