Copper Wool protects young plants

Submitted by Barbara on Thu, 05/10/2012 - 00:10

Many gardeners know how much slugs hate copper.  My friends know I love copper so it was only a matter of time.

One day while at the hardware store I looked at the copper wool and thought, "I bet that would keep the slugs off my baby artichoke plants," and so was born an idea.

Simply take apart one Chore Boy copper wool scouring pad and cut into lengths then wind around what ever plant you are trying to protect.  Large piece for larger plants.  This idea works best for plants with a definite stem.  For my baby artichokes I cut each flattened scouring pad into three pieces.   This has a few advantages.  One, its inexpensive and easily available.  Two the metal has sharp edges which can only bother slugs more.  Three the copper wool uses less material and presents more surfaces than typical copper bands.

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