the more I live the less I learn

[SelkirkAlex]

this past winter I was rather chuffed with my overwintering caulies, psb and cabbage, I was particularly smug that my nets protected most of it from a late infestation of cabbage whites. I was still smug when the first snows came and job done I decided to put the nets away to prevent snow damage.

I should know by now, get smug at your peril, just when you think you have outwitted mother nature she sneaks up on you and bites you on the unmentionables! I will never learn!

in this instance I went out to examine my brassicas, still half buried in the snow. the pigeons which I didn't know I had, and possibly crows have shredded everything down to the stalks.

if I ever sound smug again then please smack me on the head

[Snoop Puss]

For the first time ever, a lot of my cabbages and caulis have been pecked to shreds. By sparrows of all things!

[Thelma Sanders]

I should imagine that, to any hungry birds about, your brassicas looked just like an eat- as-much-as-you-can buffet displayed on a white tablecloth

They probably thought you were kind for feeding them in the bad weather, you'll not be doing that again in a hurry, I take it? LOL

[ESBkevin]

I left some shot brassicas in the ground to preserve the soil fertility and feed the wildlife (pigeons being a big issue here). But nets on the were left on the overwintered new plantings and action taken against the damn slugs too.

The great thing about gardening/growing is that nothing is the same except everything! Always a new learning experience.

[nickdub]

One year I nearly lost a number of young fruit trees. There was frost and snow on the ground for quite some time and I noticed the local rabbits were eating the bark off from the trunks. Fortunately I caught it in times and wrapped up the damaged area with taped round bin bags, most of the bark regrew over the summer.

[chris_m]

For the first time ever, a lot of my cabbages and caulis have been pecked to shreds. By sparrows of all things!

The little beggars did the same to my broad beans. I couldn't work out what had been doing it, no sign of slugs nor pigeons, did wonder if it was the strong winds we'd had but one day I got around to the veggie bed a bit quicker than usual and caught half a dozen sparrows at it - the cheeky beggars were using the canes I'd put in (to deter cats from using the bed as a toilet) to hang on and pecking away at the leaves. Only in one bed though - I suspect it was because it's close to a hedge if a rapid evacuation was called for and the other un-netted one is further away from shelter.

They did have a go at my brassicas last summer - again, I couldn't work out what it was and had put it down to the wind rubbing the leaves against the plastic bird netting, until I spotted them perching on the netting and pecking through the holes.

Both times caught me out because I know we have quite a population of spadgers but I'd always thought all they ate was seeds - of which they get through loads in the feeders.

They haven't got my overwintering brassicas though, coz those are under, and staying under, veggiemesh. So will this spring's plantings.

[Snoop Puss]

I should imagine that, to any hungry birds about, your brassicas looked just like an eat- as-much-as-you-can buffet displayed on a white tablecloth

They probably thought you were kind for feeding them in the bad weather, you'll not be doing that again in a hurry, I take it? LOL

They were nigh-on the only green thing about for miles after the drought. I was a bit upset at first, but decided to be philosophical about it. The only problem will be if they've got into the habit and do it again next year. Then I will have to take steps.

[Thelma Sanders]

Snoop Puss:Then I will have to take steps

That would sound scary, if you were a bird!

[Snoop Puss]

Maybe I should just stand outside and shout "I will take steps". Might frighten off the foxes at the very least. Probably give Mr Snoop pause for thought too, for that matter!