I'm in my fourth year of totally organic gardening. This year, my garden boasts 6 kinds of tomatoes, 5 kinds of string beans, 3 kinds of sweet peppers, squash, cucumbers, about 20 kinds of herbs, and countless cutting flowers. And unfortunately, thousands of slugs.

You can't possibly believe the slug damage this year - and nothing works against them. DE is too expensive and impractical. I've heard that sharp sand is supposed to protect seedlings but can only find builder's sand and play sand - neither of which is right for the job. Until someone tells me that they have personally put down copper and it worked, I won't try that. Putting out beer isn't practical (unless it goes into a neighbor's yard!). Fireflies eat baby slugs but so far this year the slugs are winning. The very mild winter has produced a bumper crop of pests. I used to go out at night with a flashlight and a hand trowel and cut the slugs in half.

My gardening strategy has always been to put my money and energy into improving the soil; to purchase the best possible plants I could afford; to plant as many varieties of plants, including herbs and cut flowers as possible, and to plant enough for me and the bugs. But the slugs are getting the better of me.

They have devastated the cucumbers, beans, marigolds, and basil, but leave untouched the cosmos, scented geraniums, tomatoes and peppers.

Can anyone out there verify that strawflowers and Queen Anne's lace attract lady bugs? I'm always looking for specific plants that attract beneficials. Much of what is written on this subject doesn't work.

Please Email any special tips on a healthy organic garden.

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