German gardeners embrace historic crops and innovative snail‑control tricks

Urban residents in Germany are increasingly cultivating historic utilitarian plants on balconies, terraces and front‑yard gardens. The trend, highlighted in Neuss, includes species such as hemp, which can now be grown legally in limited numbers for personal use. Advocates point to the nutritional value of hemp seeds, the ability to control inputs and reduce transport emissions, and the mental benefits of tending to growing plants.

At the same time, German garden experts are promoting practical methods to curb snail damage. Growers are advised to plant sacrificial crops like spinach, lettuce, carrots or radishes around vulnerable beds, drawing snails away from desired vegetables. Additional tactics include placing damp wooden boards to trap snails for removal, and humane killing techniques such as pouring boiling water over collected snails while avoiding slow‑acting agents like salt or baking powder.