Question
Tom,
We have a rock garden w/a ton of hostas. Some are probably in spots sunnier than they'd like. By late summer they always look horrible, burned out and also riddled with holes from slugs. I guess I'll try to move some to shadier spots, but as for the slugs, is there anything I can do now to prevent them? We've tried setting out shallow dishes of beer (unsuccessful)and also tried an organic product (little granules) that didn't work well. We do have small children and a dog, so we can't use anything dangerous to them. I'd appreciate your advice.
thanks-Shelley

Answer
Hi Shelley,
Thanx for your questions.  I have the same trouble with slugs for my hostas.  I have all of my hostas planted in relatively shady spots.  Hostas tolerate and do well in shade but, they'll tolerate and do well in full sun too.  There are slug traps available at the nurseries but I don't know how well they work.  The key is to find something that will attract them away from your garden.  The beer dishes usually don't work I'm told, it must be an old wives' tale or something.  That's about the best I can do other than you might want to hunt for them and pluck them out.  I've done that before and sometimes that will take care of them for a while.  I hope this helps.
Tom