Now is the time to gather organic slug and snail deterrent for next summer's garden. November winds that rattled the sweetgum trees and loosened their spiky seed pods to the ground. Homeowners are obliged to rake them up from walkways and lawns as they can trip up pedestrians. Why not save them to protect tender seedlings?
Sweetgum trees are native to the southeastern states but are planted in Oregon as ornamental landscape tree. The lovely 5 pointed leaves turn red, orange and burgundy in autumn. The seed pods are given unpleasant names such as "ankle turners" and "porcupine eggs" which betray the problems they give landowners. They cause lumps in the lawn as they do not decay quickly. These troublesome seed pods are treasures for organic gardens.
Rake up the sweetgum balls in pile for storage to be used later or leave it on the lawn in areas where dog markings or neighborhood cats are a problem. The stored sweetgum balls are a boon to gardeners who are tortured with slugs and snails. When new seedlings are planted in the spring, surround the new growth with the seed pods. The sticky spines work as a wonderful organic deterrent to the tender underbodies of these destructive mollusks.
The advantages in using sweet gum balls as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) are many.

• Sweetgum balls last all summer. If kept dry during the winter, these seed pods will remain spiky until the following autumn.
• Sweetgum balls are nontoxic. Other slug baitsand pesticides are dangerous to pets, wildlife and children.
• Sweetgum balls are free. Even if you don't have your own tree, most homeowners with one would be delighted to so donate their seed pods if asked.
• Sweetgum balls are portable. Copper strips are another popular organic slug and snail control that is expensive and is designed to remain nailed to the edges of flowerbeds.
• Sweetgum balls are flexible. Small flower pots, seed trays and large garden beds can all benefit from a protective circle of seed pods.

There are other natural ways deter unwanted diners from your garden. Sweetgum balls are just one clever way to make the best of what nature offers. Organic IPM is designed for gardeners that care about their health and the environment.