Snails in the vegetable garden are feared - and rightly so! Even a few slugs can cause a lot of damage in one night. But which plants are safe from snails? Which vegetables do snails not like?
What vegetables do snails usually not like?
Snails usually avoid bitter or strongly aromatic vegetables such as onions, garlic, chives, leeks, chard, chicory, larger beetroot, artichokes, sugar loaf, rocket, endive and radicchio. However, if there is a lack of food, they can also eat these plants.
What features keep snails away?
Bitter substancesPlants,strongly aromaticorpoisonousPlants are generally safe from snails. Plants with thorns or hairs are also less popular, even if these do not provide any real protection against snails, as snails can easily cross a razor blade and thus also thorns and hairs thanks to their mucous layer. Young plants of all kinds are particularly at risk.
Which vegetables do snails not like?
The following vegetables usually disdain snails:
- Onions, garlic, chives and leek
- Pumpkin plants from 20cm high
- Chard
- Chicory
- Larger beetroot (young plants at risk!)
- Artichokes
- Sugar Loaf Mountain
According to some sources, adult tomatoes, peas and cucumbers should also be avoided by snails. However, you shouldn't rely on that.
Due to their strong aroma, almost all herbs are unpopular with snails. You can take advantage of this aversion and plant herbs around your vegetable beds.
Which salad don’t snails like?
Salad is generally very popular with snails. However, there are also varieties that avoid snails. These include strongly aromatic varieties such as:
- Arugula
- Endives
- Radicchio
AlsoLamb lettuce should be safe from snails.
Do snails always stay away from snail-resistant vegetables?
When there is alack of food, every vegetable is useful. If snails are really hungry, they won't stop at radicchio, artichokes and onions. If there are a lot of snails in the vegetable patch, it is best to collect them and dispose of them.
Tip
Which snails eat vegetables?
Not all species of snails cause damage to the vegetable garden - in fact, quite a few do. Only slugs, especially the Spanish slug. In most cases, shell snails such as Roman snails do not nibble on vegetables, but actually eat annoying pests in the garden. Therefore, avoid snail pellets and snail traps to protect beneficial insects and the environment.
