Hi, I've never planted ranunculus but am looking forward to the results. What I don't want to happen is my precious plants being eaten before they bloom. Need suggestions to protect the young shoots from all invaders. Is netting the best, or wire cages. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks
Well Spud, slugs, snails and aphids are the biggest threat - the best way around this is to sprinkle slug pellets around your young plants. You can deter aphids with a spray of soapy water, but if they are already munching then a spray of Pyrethrum will send them packing.
But you could also have problems with birds while the shoots are young - with the solution here being bird netting, though once they are established you can take it off as they only seem to go for young and tender shoots.