Striptease

[Peat]

In the knowledge that Italy would win the world cup this year I decided to grow Cavalo Nero (a type of Italian cabbage cum Kale). The seed grew well and when the plants were about 4 inches tall with 6 or so leaves I planted them out. The next day I went out to find a few lumps had been taken out of their leaves. The slug beer trap was empty so I assumed caterpillars (although I couldn't see any) so I sprayed with liquid Derris. The next morning I went out and the plants had been stripped bare, with only their spiny stems remaining.
Three questions:
1. What do you think did this?
2. Will the plants recover?
3. How can I stop it happening again?

[pigletwillie]

1 pigeons
2 no
3 netting

The greedy buggers should be onto the rape fields by now but the few cabbage plants that were not under netting have been scoffed as well.

[Peat]

Thanks Piglet. The ungrateful buggers get fed by me every day without fail, then as soon as I go off to work they obviously move over to the veg plot.

I feel a pigeon pie coming on this weekend!

[pickledtink]

Oh dear! I hate it when that happens. Even if they had the grace to leave you one or two so you can see how they turn out would be something wouldn't it?
you've still time to sow some more though. Cavolo Nero is delicious.

I keep having to chase a pair of pink doves off one of my two tiny beds. I have thorny Hawthorn growing up the cliff so when I cut them back I save nice long bits which I put all over the seedlings and young plants. It keeps the foxes and cats from trampling them and makes it difficult for larger birds to get at them too.

[Alice]

Peat, once the pigoens have found the goodies they won't gve in. NEVER feed them or encourage them in any way. You may end up having to make that pie.