The other night I had
a talk with a friend about slugs.
It was suggested that
I give them to the chickens, so that they could turn my problem into useful
protein, followed by a lesson in how nature works, prey and predator etc, I took it
in, and said I’d think about it. After collecting the slugs in a bowl and
watching them for awhile, I started to wonder if they might be hungry, out comes
a cabbage leaf, thirsty I sprinkled some water in. I began to worry if they were
too hot and cramped… then I realised that I care about these little slug dudes
and my decision was made.
So well, hmm
For 2 years in between
living in India etc, I was the gardener at SIBA Buddhist retreat centre; here
the gardening canvas was large and speckled with wwoofers and volunteers, so I
had opportunity to not only play big, but also, to have the help when I needed
it. A few, but crucial issues marred these wonderful idyllic circumstances,
and the garden didn’t flourish as expected.
My own, and the
society’s no killing/chemical policy, meant that gardening was rendered almost impossible.
As soon as a spade went into the earth 1 worm became 2, the bugs and vermin proliferated to the point that the tomato’s beetroots, broccoli, were eaten
before ripening, cabbages were wiped out, corn gnawed from the cob and the
seedling disappeared on mass. There was a constant echo of those dammed rats,
birds, wombats, wallabies, slugs, snails etc
Around here no one
wants a part in the extermination game and there were no volunteers willing. So
what to do… The solution I’m sure can only be permaculture, including the no
dig method, humane animal removal and herbs.
Considering this
particular garden was originally established in the 70s with help from Bill
Mollison, this gardens birth rite was Permaculture, and so a process began, of
establishing and renewing systems. I will not go on about Permaculture here,
there are ample resources on the net and in books. But I will outline some of
the things I did at SIBA, and do now in my own garden.
1. I don’t dig if I can
help it, layering paper straight down on the earth means you can eliminate
weeds, digging and back strain, To a point worms and other beings are spared. I build up with
goat manure, hay, scavenged grass cuttings, decomposed compost, and some dirt
if need be. Now, yes I know countless being will still be hurt or made homeless
by these method but I like to think, not nearly as many as other ways.
2. I buy rat/ mice traps
that catch without killing, and then I take them a few K down the road.
3. After dark when
slugs come out, I simply pick them up, put them in a container with some food
and water, and let them free the next day somewhere nice, also a K or two
away.
4 I net my garden, and
have fences or barriers. Even
sticks pointing up at angles work well to keep the larger animals out.
5. I plant lots of
herbs and bug repelling flowers. And sprinkle crushed eggshells around
(apparently slugs don’t enjoy sliding over the jaggered edges).
6. I make and use a
garlic/ chilli mix that the bugs don’t like and spray on the plants
7. I accept that
weaker plants will be an offering because the bugs always go for them
8. I ask them to go
another way nicely.
9. I do a soor
practice, which is particular to Tibetan Buddhism, and has a moving on effect.
10. I give up.
Note: There are many
stories of fixing animal invasion where masterful practitioners
who have power enough, simple blow on the animals with prayers and mantras and
presto. Sadly I’m not one of those
friends in high places.
So in conclusion you probably
could think of those things yourself and even add (please do). For me gardening
is a teacher and I get as much from the process as I do from the result. It
boils down again, I’m sure to intention.
(It’s also a tough one
for me, the issue of vegetarianism and non-killing. At 7 I choose not to
kill or eat meat and my convictions for this lifestyle choice remains.) Although my mind has opened in strange ways in the last few years, and I can now understand many points of view, regarding this.
What are your
thoughts?
