A real cheap solution: get some copper wire cut it up and roll it around the base of your plants. this will act as a "protective barrier" for your babes from the evil slug monsters. You could also go to your local garden shop or Home Depot etc. and pick up some slug bait, also relatively inexpensive and works wonders. Salt works too but it dissolves too quickly and you'll have to reapply it every couple days or so, salt is best used execution style, straight on the bastards. Or you could just use pots they have a hard time getting up there...