Killer slugs and eco-friendly dog houses and birdhouses
It鈥檚 one of those in between times in my garden 鈥� lots of green tomatoes, but none ripening; annuals, hydrangeas, and roses flowering away; and lots of weeds popping up between the antique bricks on the back patio. Today鈥檚 post will follow the same pattern 鈥� garden news that's short but too good to miss.
First, of course, are the killer slugs in Wales, which sound as though they ought to star in a bad horror movie: 鈥淎ttack of the Sightless Killer Slugs.鈥�
It鈥檚 not so funny, though,聽if you live in Wales (a wonderful country to visit; I highly recommend it). What鈥檚 being called a 鈥� it鈥檚 white and has no eyes -- has been discovered; it鈥檚 a new species. And it鈥檚 carnivorous; it eats earthworms with bladelike teeth. Then, say the , they suck up the worms "like spaghetti."
What a revolting development. As if regular slugs aren鈥檛 bad enough. The only bright spot -- if it could be called that -- is that scientists are speculating that this new slug may eat other slugs. But that wouldn't make up for the losss of earthworms.
Much better news is a in Walnut Creek, Calif., that鈥檚 tended by those who are homeless.聽 鈥淔or people whose lives are often a struggle, the garden provides an outlet for creativity, and a way to participate in the community and show appreciation for the services they receive,鈥� says the Contra Costa Times. One current plan to is grow herbs in the garden to sell at the local farmers鈥� market.
You鈥檝e read all about the environmental benefits of . But did you know that you could build one for ? Even easier, install a green roof for your feathered friends -- on top of birdhouses and feeders. The July issue of The Avant Gardener says it鈥檚 easy: Edge slanting birdhouse roofs with a wooden lip that contains drainage holes. Then spread a quick-draining potting soil over the surface and plant 鈥� maybe with succulents or with alpines, depending on your climate, of course.
In this day of all digital all the time, a print newsletter that doesn鈥檛 have any photos and is delivered by US mail聽may seem聽a bit quaint.
But Thomas Powell packs a ton of interesting material in his monthly issues of The Avant Gardener (subtitled The Unique Horticultural News Service). Some are devoted to an in-depth look at a particular subject. Others contain information on a wide variety of topics (often culled from the 400 publications he reads each month).
Even if you keep up with the latest in the field, there are always many things you haven鈥檛 heard before. July鈥檚 issue includes terrestrial orchids, ornamental sorghums, two little-known maples, hybrid ground cherries, a great new daphne, and 鈥渃omposting made simpler.鈥�
For more information, write The Avant Gardener, P.O. Box 489, New York, NY 10028.
