How To Keep Slugs Away From Tomato Plants

The trend today is less tilling and more mulching. That’s a good method of gardening, but is also favorable to slugs. Mulch keeps the soil damp for plants but also provides a good place for slugs to hide.

Experts recommend watering plants in the morning rather than evening. Watering in the morning gives the water time to soak deep into the soil. This means less evaporation of water. It gives the soil the chance to dry before slugs come visit plants in the evening and night.

Watering in the morning lets plants and lawns dry before evening to prevent disease. Plants with wet leaves during the night are more favorable to fungal, mold, spots, and wilt diseases. Tomato plants with wet leaves are more likely to develop blight. Keep tomato plant leaves dry and healthy by planting them 2 to 3 feet apart to allow for good air circulation.

Do not over water tomatoes. Wilting tomato plants are more likely over watered than under watered. Check the soil manually. If soil is damp do not water. Water tomato plants deeply 2 to 3 times a week, rather than every day. This gives the soil the time to dry between watering. Dry soil will be less inviting to slugs.