Slugs and snails can cause devastation in gardens, particularly throughout spring and summer, destroying plants and crops.

The damage isn't limited to leaves either, as these pests also consume fruits including strawberries and tomatoes, potentially wiping out entire harvests.

Thankfully, Monty Don has shared several environmentally-friendly methods to keep them at bay.

In a blog entry, Monty said: "Slugs and snails are widely regarded as the gardeners' public enemy number one.

"But they are superb at recycling waste vegetative matter but do not discriminate between a fallen leaf and a delicious young seedling.", reports the Liverpool Echo.

"Slugs live largely underground in the soil and like damp conditions. Snails live above the ground and love dark nooks and crannies such as old brickwork or a nice dry yew hedge, as well as clustering around the base of containers."

The gardening expert notes that while there are more than 30 slug species found across the UK, four primary types inhabit gardens, and surprisingly, the largest specimens aren't necessarily the most destructive.

So how can gardeners prevent slugs from damaging their outdoor plants?

Monty advised: "Avoid slug pellets as they are chemicals that can harm other wildlife. Instead have a small slug-free cold frame or tape where you can raise tender young plants and check for slugs daily.

"Do not feed plants any more than is absolutely necessary and always feed the soil, not the plant.

"This will avoid a spurt of soft, sappy growth that slugs love. Without stressing them with sudden temperatures or cultivation changes, grow your plants as hard as possible which means do not mollycoddle them.

"Finally, encourage a wide range of predators into the garden. I have masses of thrushes, frogs, toads, beetles, centipedes, shrews and a few hedgehogs."

All of these creatures are natural slug and snail predators, making them a welcome addition to any frustrated gardener's outdoor space.

Slugs and snails also struggle to navigate sharp or coarse surfaces, meaning a layer of crushed eggshells or gravel around the base of plants can act as an effective barrier.

This method helps discourage the pests from climbing the sides of pots, while crops such as tomatoes and strawberries can be grown in hanging baskets as an additional precaution.

Eggshells only work as a deterrent when clean and dry, so it's essential to remove them during wet weather.

When cracking an egg, try to strip away the inner membrane and rinse if necessary.

Gardening specialist Shannen Godwin from J Parker's said: "The good news is that slugs won't attack all of your plants.

"In fact, many plants can deter slugs. These are typically the plants with strongly scented leaves or textured leaves that are particularly glossy, leathery or hairy.

"Some slug-resistant plants include roses, ferns, hydrangeas and grasses.

"It can also help to combine some slug-resistant plants alongside your seedlings, known as companion planting.

"Aromatic herbs are usually great to plant next to your vegetables and seedlings to avoid slugs.

"For example, mint and chives can be helpful for companion planting between rows of vegetables."