By Dawn Lawless

Slugs like tender plants, and unfortunately lettuce happens to be a favorite. Slugs are mollusks, so they are related to clams, oysters, scallops, octopuses and squids. They all have three basic parts: head, muscular foot, and internal organs. Next time you get a chance, check out the side of a slug's body. You'll find a breathing hole the size of a tomato seed. If you watch it walk, you'll notice that the slug taps the front pair of tentacles on the ground as it moves slowly along. The longer pair of tentacles have eyes on top. The coolest fact about slugs is that they are hermaphrodites. Each slug is both a male and a female. This is because they are solitary and they move very slowly. When two slugs finally find each other, this allows them to reproduce more easily. Snails and earthworms are also hermaphrodites. If you have slug problems in your garden you can attract slugs in milk, it won't hurt them, then relocate them. You can trap them in a bowl of beer, but it will kill them. You can also use an organic product called Concern to alleviate your slug problem. Finally, try attracting toads by placing an upside down flowerpot with a door (or propped up on one side) in a shady, damp spot. Toads love to eat slugs.

On Saturday, August 25 (raindate Sunday, August 26) Maysie's Farm is having a Volunteer Work Day where children are especially invited. If you bring your kids, we'll keep them busy while you help out on the farm. We start at 9:00 am. Hope to see you there!