Answers to a few questions

Controlling Grass in Corn
There are some herbicides you can use to get rid of the grass. If your corn has already started growing, you'll need a "postemergence" herbicide. Or of course there's the old method of plenty of hoeing. You obviously don't want to pull the grass out if it's close to the roots of the corn as it will disturb the corn.

Raccoons
There are a few different things you can do for the raccoons. One thing you might try is a repellent. Some common ones are coyote urine (yuck!), or a mixture of mustard oil and chili extract. Try this site for ideas: http://raccoon-x.com/repellant.htm

Deer
Repellents are also good for deer. There are two types: 1) area - repel by bad smell, and 2) contact - repel by making plant taste bad. Deer will try just about anything, so no plant is safe! Here's a good site with more info: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06520.html

Slugs and Snails
For slugs there's always the poisons, but many of those aren't safe around kids or pets (you can find ones that are safe, you just have to look). One of my teachers suggested putting small, shallow containers of alcohol around problem areas. Slugs and snails crawl in, drink, get drunk, fall in and drown. It works, but most of us don't want containers of alcohol around our yards.

Another thing you can use is a rough barrier. Snails and slugs don't like crossing rough stuff with their soft slimy bodies. The following lists many different things you can use as a barrier:

"Good barriers can consist of wood ashes, crushed oyster shells (from feed stores), crushed eggshells, diatomaceous earth, sawdust, lime, short hair clippings, powdered ginger, bran, and ammonium sulfate. Make sure the barrier is at least three inches wide--the wider the better. If a powder barrier gets wet, it will need to be replenished. A border planted with low, spreading rosemary is another one they won't want to cross.

"Garden centers sell snail barriers, some of which resemble strips of sandpaper; others have salt embedded in the material. Copper strips make the best barriers. When the slimers touch the copper, it shocks and repels them. These strips are also effective as barriers on trees. Snails love citrus trees and can be real pests in orange groves. Copper comes in sheets, strips, and sticky-backed tape. One gardener glues copper pennies around her pots.

"A good mulch of oak leaves will also repel slugs and snails. Gather seaweed and spread it around as a mulch. Not only does it makes a good barrier, but it will also be good for the soil. If you use decorative mulches, choose cocoa hulls or crushed rock, which are quite inimical to slimers." http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/8778/snails.php

So I hope this helps and answers those questions I got! Any thoughts, suggestions, questions, please leave a comment, email at gardengoddesses@hotmail.com, or call 801-885-3178.

Lara Cummings

Garden Goddesses

Life is a garden. Grow a good one.