last year as the slugs threaten plants such as hostas, dahlias, sweet peas, delphiniums and gerberas.Some gardeners are trying more environmentally-friendly methods such as leaving out pots of beer which the slugs supposedly find irresistible or putting sharp gravel or holly leaves around prize plants.The RHS said that digging over flowerbeds so they are not too damp would also help.Guy Barter, R