[Moyra]

Oh I know how you feel Sue. I found coffee grounds kept them away but of course if its wet you have to renew regularly. I have staked mine round and then put fine netting pegged right down all round so the little blighters cannot get in. Makes it a problem when you have to unpeg the netting when you want to harvest but I too do not like using pellets because of the birds eating the snails and slugs. Netting also keeps the birds out too!