Text: the Passion Jardins team
Welcome to the Passion Jardins blog, where we chat about gardening in our own way — with a touch of nostalgia, a hint of humor, and a good dose of slightly dubious auntie advice. Because between us, who hasn't tried planting rusty nails to make their peonies blush... just because grandma said so?
How to keep slugs away from your hostas
To start, let's talk about slugs. Are your hostas being devoured? Don't panic, auntie Madeleine has the solution: a cut can, half-filled with beer, buried around the plants. The slugs are attracted, fall in, and... end their lives in a party. It's not very glamorous for them, but it's effective! You can also try crushed eggshells or coffee grounds around the plants to discourage them.
Bye-bye groundhogs
But slugs aren't the only ones partying in the garden. Groundhogs love to nibble on vegetables. To keep them at bay, our grandmothers recommended sprinkling pepper or hot chili around the garden, or hanging CDs or aluminum plates that move and shine. And why not an old sweater imbued with the smell of your dog or cat? It might scare the groundhog away!
Allies against aphids
To attract ladybugs, those precious allies against aphids, auntie Huguette suggests letting dandelions grow or planting nasturtiums. A small insect hotel made with pine cones and branches might also appeal to them.
Natural repellents against cats
Cats, on the other hand, are harder to dislodge. You can try putting orange or lemon peels, or even coffee grounds in the pots. Some say the smell of onion or pepper drives them away.
Eliminate Japanese beetles without pesticides
Finally, for Japanese beetles, grandma's trick is to shake the plants in the morning to make them fall into a bucket of soapy water. And if there are too many, you can set up a pheromone trap — but be careful not to attract even more!
So, test, observe, smile a little (or a lot!), and above all, share your tips among enthusiasts. Because gardening is also a matter of transmission, memories, and small victories... even if everything doesn't work every time!
Tips and advice
