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They ravage our vegetables, and feast on our flowers, it is difficult to think of slugs as friends. But, surprisingly, not all slugs are foes. Only a few varieties of slug, like the grey field slug that plagues the agriculture industry, are invasive pests.As worms do, friendly slugs break organic matter down into something that can add nutrients to your soil. One man’s slug is also another creature’s supper; some animals can use slugs as a source of food. A wildlife friendly garden can reduce the slug population and support the ecosystem.Rather than rushing for the saltshaker, copper barrier, or slug pellets that aren’t environmentally friendly try some more slug friendly methods of repelling them. Rosemary and sage, coffee grounds, and damp cardboard repel slugs. You can even lure them into a specific spot in your garden with some scraps of leafy veg or tasty fruit bound for the compost heap, then pick them up and move them on from where they’ve congregated. That’s all for now. Hopefully we’ve left you with a more positive view of slugs.

A Friendly Foe

Mowing over thatch, stones, or against hard kerbs, and general wear and tear, can lead to the erosion of your mower blade. Blunt blades damage your grass by tearing at it which in turn makes it look unevenly cut or even cause the grass to start browning.Another thing a blunt mower blade can do is put undue stress on your mower’s engine. A mower with an overtaxed engine will break down more frequently and will be less efficient because it will consume more fuel.It is quite hard to believe that something as simple as a blunt blade can have so much influence on the health of your mower and your grass, but it does. So get that blade sharpened and you'll always have stellar grass and a mower you can rely on.&nbsp;

Not On the Cutting Edge

Top view green lawn grass with a lawnmower

We haven’t managed to locate the Holy Grail or the fountain of youth, but we can tell you about a little secret that will make the gardening season run smoothly. Usually, when you’re servicing a mower before the beginning of the gardening season if you want to have any hope of it running properly you must drain the stale fuel.There is, however, a way to avoid having to get rid of this stale fuel that can clog your mower up and bring it to a grinding halt. Fuel stabiliser. Using fuel stabiliser extends the lifespan of your fuel and keeps it from congealing for 2-3 years, and protects the heart of your machine, the engine. You will likely change your fuel within that timeframe, but using fuel stabiliser means, that barring any other issues, you can put your mower in the shed over the winter and start using it without problems when the season begins again.If you need some more help with your mower take a look at our Mobile Machinery Repairs and Maintenance page. And we provide a free bottle of fuel stabiliser with every service.&nbsp;

Stabiliser is Essential

Dark Overcast Sky with Heavy Rain and Lightning - Intense Weather Phenomenon

Many plants are fine with tap water, but some of them should not be given a single drop of it to drink if you can avoid it. The chlorine, fluoride, calcium, and magnesium in tap water can harm certain plants. These plants can then develop yellowing, or spots on their leaves, grow more slowly, and end up with white, chalky deposits on their surrounding soil.Unfortunately, some of the tips you may hear about boiling water and using filtered water to eliminate this problem are not true. If you haven’t got any rainwater, use distilled water because boiled and filtered water still contain things that will damage tap water sensitive plants.The major plants and plant varieties that prefer rainwater or distilled water are spider plants, venus flytraps, and other carnivorous plants, rhododendrons, cordylines, and orchids. There are plants we haven’t covered here, but if you’re not sure about a particular plant do thorough research about it.&nbsp;Farewell, farewell! but this I tell, to you our website guest, if there's something that you're not sure about in your garden there will be a minute that covers it, so don't forget to come back each week for new minutes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Rime of the Ancient Gardener

Part of growing as a gardener is forgiving yourself for making gardening mistakes so you can focus on fixing them. Our post <a data-mce-href="https://gardensandlawnmowersbyclive.com/blog/waterblogged" href="https://gardensandlawnmowersbyclive.com/blog/waterblogged">Waterblogged</a> deals with how to avoid overwatering your plants. This post will tell you what to do to revive a plant that’s been overwatered.First you need to be able to identify if a plant has been overwatered. Wilting, oedema (brown raised bumps or yellow patches on leaves), mildewy, pungent soil, and the squidgy, molasses hued roots characteristic of root rot, are clear signs of overwatering. Once you've seen the signs it’s time to jump into action. Most plants recover from overwatering within a fortnight, but severe cases can take longer.Before you do anything else, remove the plant from its old soil. Then, remove any root rot affected roots, and damaged leaves and leave the plant to dry. Do not immediately repot it. &nbsp;When the plant is sufficiently dry, repot it in a clean pot and stick to a healthy watering plan.&nbsp;

Erring When Watering Is Human

We all know it's possible to have too much of a good thing and this is no different for plants. Watering might be integral to a plant's survival but overwatering can cause damage.The main way to avoid overwatering is to check if the soil your plant is in is damp before you start watering. If you find the soil to be damp, water when it is drier. You can touch the soil to check for dampness or use a soil moisture meter for an accurate reading. Moisture meters are often reasonably priced.Drainage is also key in the battle against soggy soil. Put your potted plants in containers with holes in; you can drill them yourself, or you can buy a container that already has them. Pair your pot with a saucer and remember to pour the water out of it when it fills up. For your flower beds, aerate your soil, install raised beds, or in severe cases a drainage system like a soakaway or a French drain.&nbsp;

Gardens and Mowers by Clive

The Gardens and Mowers Minutes

A Friendly Foe

Not On the Cutting Edge

Stabiliser is Essential

The Rime of the Ancient Gardener

Erring When Watering Is Human

Waterblogged