Ah, well. I searched for copper but didn't have any matching titles here. I'm interested in no-effort solutions because my mom is too busy to tend to her garden, otherwise she would do it herself already. She tried coffee and crushed eggshells. It didn't work but I'm not sure if it's because she did it once and didn't follow up. She also used the beers sometimes, then forgot about it. She's just busy. So the solutions that would require her to reapply it is out of the question because the slugs and snails will just bounce back when she stops. I'd like to set up the copper (if not wire, mesh?) all around her garden, and take care of the predators myself inside the garden with baits, etc a few times until they're gone, then let it be. But my mom won't go for it if it isn't effective even if I offer to buy it myself. She's grown suspicious of the claims by companies about the insects. Such like that sonic wave machine that supposedly drive the spiders and/or mosquitoes away by creating sound frequency they don't like. She got it and it didn't work. I'll continue to research it when I have time. EDIT: I heard copper will repel snails, is this true? I was a little disappointed to learn that the banana slugs weren't repelled by her copper. I'm not sure if it's because her copper is too small or poorly designed. We have numerous banana slugs around here, and they're main problem for my mom's garden. Slugs are huge here. This post was edited by Aindra on Wed, Jan 16, 13 at 14:14

Thank you ann, for your posting, I will read it again and again, this winter. I especially loved reading these opinions, which show how that era differs from ours, in the old fashioned garden section, -None of the all-summer bloomers with tea blood are admissible to the old -fashioned garden." I especially love a garden bed, where violet and geranium, old fashioned pinks, cultivats from the 1800's are mixed with Tea roses from that time, and to me that is an old fashioned garden, but that very same scheme would appear as a modern garden, to the writer in 1909. and "spray with whale oil soap if aphids persist" darn, I won't find that at the Home Depot. I also thank you, because there were a few Tea roses I'd never heard of, and wonder if they are still in commerce anywhere in the world. Luxrosa

I found this site trying to find a way to save a poor little snail I accidentally stepped on. I'm so upset and then I come here and see comments where you sick b!tches are cutting snails out of their shell, stepping on them on purpose, throwing them against walls and throwing them in the street and more. What the hell is wrong with you sick people?!!!?!??!!! How can you have absolutely no respect for life?! I'm horrified! You're torturing an innocent life. It doesn't matter if they're the biggest or the smallest of animals/insects. It's a life you twisted psychopaths! I can't begin to understand how so many of you could be so friggin' cruel. I don't know how any of you can look at yourselves much less sleep soundly at night after doing what you've done to these innocent lives. If you all feel comfortable enough to share something so awful, I can't imagine the things you've done you're too ashamed to admit. You're horrible excuses for human beings and you lack any compassion or respect for life. Shame on you all!! Before you even try to turn it around on me and/or call me a hypocrite because animals die for my food, you should know, I don't eat meat. I'm a strict vegan who doesn't consume any animal products I found this site trying to find a way to save a poor little snail I accidentally stepped on. I'm so upset and then I come here and see comments where you sick b!tches are cutting snails out of their shell, stepping on them on purpose, throwing them against walls and throwing them in the street and more. What the hell is wrong with you sick people?!!!?!??!!! How can you have absolutely no respect for life?! I'm horrified! You're torturing an innocent life. It doesn't matter if they're the biggest or the smallest of animals/insects. It's a life you twisted psychopaths! I can't begin to understand how so many of you could be so friggin' cruel. I don't know how any of you can look at yourselves much less sleep soundly at night after doing what you've done to these innocent lives. If you all feel comfortable enough to share something so awful, I can't imagine the things you've done you're too ashamed to admit. You're horrible excuses for human beings and you lack any compassion or respect for life. I feel complete and utter disgust for all of you who are doing such horrible things to these innocent snails. Shame on you all!! Before you even try to turn it around on me and/or call me a hypocrite because animals die for my food, you should know, I don't eat meat. I'm a strict vegan who doesn't consume any animal products because unlike any of you; I do have the upmost respect for life and I refuse to let anything suffer on my behave. Shame! Shame! SHAME! ON! YOU! ALL!!!!

Anna, thank you! it is so nice to hear from gardening friends, it makes everything worthwhile! Ricky, thank you! your garden is beautiful in a professional and classy way, mine is in full sun. One week is not enough to see Ecuador, the beaches, the Amazon, the mountains, the Galapagos. We were in Quito one week and it flew between the museums, the churches, the Old Town, the artisan markets, the parks, the botanical gardens, the zoo and the food! When you wake up in Quito is like the mountains are hugging you... D, thank you, it is my pleasure to share my experiences with all of you, this way it gets to be double the fun. Jofus, thank you!I am so glad that you liked the pictures and congrats on the new girlfriend! I guess that she has big plans for you and the butterfly garden.) good for you! Bea, that is interesting, I don't think that I've seen them before.:) Writersblock, thank you very much! you are so kind. It is so rewarding to know that someone likes my posts. Yesterday I had a very zucchini harvest day and made Ottolenghi's zucchini meatballs, brandy zucchini bread, zucchini fritters and I still have more to make zucchini pickles.... Pictures are coming for all of you to enjoy. Silvia