Brassica protection

angiecadie · Brassica protection

Anyone know how to protect from cabbage root fly, is it always nessecary, we have had probs with broccoli in the past where the whole plant wilted and when taken out the roots were all destroyed so hoping to avoid this problem this year, I have planted out three, what I think are either cauliflower or brussel sprouts (I got a little mixed up) and have put plastic collars around the base (as seen in my new veggie growing book) but what about netting - nessecary?

thanks
angie

Smooth Hound

i would have though netting was more for the catterpillar thing, but im noot certain, never had problems with cabbage root fly, sorry i cant help you,

Smooth Hound

http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/brassicas/cabbage-root-fly.php

Sassinak

I cut old carpet into squares (about 6inch) and cut a slit halfway along one side as far as the middle. Place square on ground so that plant stem slides into slit and ground for about 3inches all round the plant is protected.

angiecadie

Ok thats great I won't bother with the netting thing then

thanks

Diana

Yeah, collars are fine.

You might find you do want to net them though - keeps the pigeons and pheasants off. Also, if the netting is fine mesh, it'll stop you getting caterpillars (and you WILL if you don't net!)

pete_inthehills

if the netting is fine enough then it'll keep out butterflys which will be the bane of your life as soon as the brassicas are big enough. The other problem I had was pigeons which love a bit of young cabbage leaf for tea.

then of course there are slugs....

....and rabbits like a nibble too...

and cauliflowers will need protection from the sun as soon as they heads develop, if we have any sun...

who said gardening was easy?

Good luck.

Pete
inthehills