grotty brassicas

[slugcrusher]

Hi -I'm a newbie on the grapevine and would like advice on brassicas. Last year was my first effort and was a complete failure due to sandy soil? cabbage fly? and wood pigeons. Is it really possible to grow a decent cabbage? -preferably organic.

[Snadger]

Sandy soil add organic matter and firm. Cabbage root fly use collars. Brassicas need to be netted to keep pigeons away.

Dead easy!

[fiveravens]

Cabbages are easy once you get the soil in good heart. Plenty well-rotted manure or good garden compost. Spring cabbages are the easiest (I'm eating mine now) because they don't suffer the attentions of butterflies and subsequent caterpillars. But fleece or eco-mesh will keep summer and winter cabbages free from them too. As Snadger says, collars will keep away root fly, and nets for pigeons. Believe me, it's worth the trouble - fresh, organically grown cabbages are miles ahead of the other kind (regardless of what anyone tells you) both in flavour and texture.

[paulab]

Hi - another newbie here - question about eco-mesh - do you make it into a kinda cage thing over the top of cabbages etc, or is it raised just slightly?

[Snadger]

Hi - another newbie here - question about eco-mesh - do you make it into a kinda cage thing over the top of cabbages etc, or is it raised just slightly?

I use enviromesh over my carrots only as it's too expensive to use anywhere else. I built a timber and wire cage about 2 foot high and stretched it over the top. On my brassicas I use 3 foot pegs pushed in around them and drape them with netting. It doesn't keep the butterflies out but is a damm site less expensive than enviromesh and keeps the flying rats (woodpigeons) and rabbits off!

[Headfry]

I saved up and bought Enviromesh- Mr HF made a fantastic cage to go over Brassicas.....
no butterflies or pigeons, but the crop was ruined by whitefly, I was very upset!
what did I do wrong!

[sarahspatch]

I thought I would give them a try last spring and am eating lovely PSB now, although the cabbages don't look too appealing - at least my bunnies will have a feast!!
I would say firm soil is very important - ideally dig a month or two before planting.
Also plant seedlings fairly deep - I've had quite a few leaning on the soil!
I never got round to netting most of them - but had plenty of bird scarers and luckily no cabbage white butterflies. Also as plants went out late summer-I think-I missed most of the butterflies.

[T-lady]

Protea told me that I can plant my brassica seedlings like tomatoes - really deep on the stems to stop the falling over thing (I had collapsing kale over this winter but it still cropped!)

Definately invest in enviromesh if you can. I just drape it over them but make sure that it is really well anchored - dig it in if you have to. Those bloomin' butterflies get everywhere and then you are forever picking off the caterpillars.

[Studygirl]

I tried this last year and pegged the stuff down all round but still got caterpillars mostly where the mesh touched the plants. This year I'm making a frame to hold the mesh away from the plants. I'll keep you posted as whether it works or not!

[Capsid]

You could try kohl rabi which has the cabbagey flavour but are more compact plants and easier to put a net over. They still get attacked by the cabbage white! I would also endorse growing spring cabbage, I like them stir fried with soy sauce.

[peanut]

Is there anything you can grow around PSB and Cabbage to deter Whitefly and Cabbage Whites??

[Demeter]

Is there anything you can grow around PSB and Cabbage to deter Whitefly and Cabbage Whites??

Marigolds are supposed to deter whitefly, I think.
Dunno about cabbage whites though.