What do you "assign" to the Shire?

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Lal

But I assign slug pellets to Mordor with the snails because I've had to resort to them to keep the infestation under control and I hate it because they don't die in a pleasant way and it makes me feel guilty.

Originally Posted by Mith

Well having had yet another attack on the patio with the weed knife I am beginning to doubt my commitment to pesticide free gardening but I do miraculously have hostas that aren't entirely lacework. But much as I hate slugs I do not use slug pellets - I don't mind the slugs dying nastily it is the poor hedgepigs dying nastily from eating pelleted slugs. You can get hedgehog friendly alternatives....

Well, I think a favourite alternative here would fit quite well in The Shire. Rather than using slug bait, we use small little basins, with rounded depressions on the sides. We fill them with beer, and leave a top (which usually has some kind of garden design on it--leaves, vines, etc.) on them. Slugs slither in for the beer and the rest is history.

I shan't start listing flowers that I think belong in The Shire for that likely will appeal to you t'other side o' ta pond types as a cliched English cottage garden. Besides, I would have to include turnips and taters and 'shrooms and lots of good root veggies.