Published: August 01, 2008 10:31 am         

Ace of Spades: Don’t blame rabbits for slug-sized holes in your hostas

Originally published in the July 25, 2008, print edition.

My hosta plants always get holes in their leaves. What is causing this?

As the season progresses, you soon may have slugs chewing holes in the leaves of hostas and other plants, mostly at night. (Don’t blame the rabbits for the hole the size of the slug.) Here are some ideas to catch the slugs.

• Set a dish of cheap beer in a small saucer under the leaves of the hosta, level with the ground. The beer draws the slugs into the saucer.
• Place a short 2x4 board slightly raised on one end, under the hosta. Check the bottom side of the board every morning to remove any slugs that have attached themselves to the board.
• Place some egg shells or cracked glass around the base of the plant. Some plants will attract the slugs, while the leaves of many other varieties will be left alone. You may find slugs working in your ripe tomatoes as well.

Every year I plant radishes but they only grow into tops. What’s happening?

When are you planting your radishes? These are some of the first things to plant in the garden in the spring. Have you ever taken a soil test of your garden, or applied some kind of fertilizer? Add some 10-10-10 if you haven’t added fertilizer at all. You should also rotate your garden crops from year to year, as well as changing radish varieties. I hope this helps.

What is a good product to spray on my tomato plants for the dreaded blight, which comes nearly every season?

The most well-known product to use on tomato plants for blight is Daconil. It is available at most garden centers, or wherever garden products are sold. Always read the label directions on how to mix. In addition to spraying, here are a few quick questions for you:
• Have you rotated your tomato plants, at least every two years?
• Have you planted these tomatoes at least 4 feet apart?
• Have you cut off the bottom tier of branches from the tomato plant? There are many other ideas to get a good tomato crop. If you would like an information sheet on this, please contact me at my address listed below.

My hostas are getting too large. When can I divide these plants?

Hostas can be divided any time during the season. However, it is best to transplant them in the early spring, just as they have emerged to about three inches.

Hostas will do well in any shaded area, whether on the north side of your house or buildings, or under an evergreen tree that has had its limbs removed up to about 5 feet from the ground. We have had hostas planted under our evergreen trees for the last four years, with good success.

What can I do to get rid of moles in my yard? I have tried many ideas without success.

The old cleaning product called “Louis Lye” has worked for many gardeners. Find the freshest tunnels, make an opening to it and pour some Louis Lye into the tunnel. Cover the opening with a board so no light will enter the tunnel. If you have any other tips for catching moles please mail or e-mail them to me, and I will include them in a future column.

     

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.