Can I uncover my brassica's??

[northumberlandboy]

Hi All,

I've had my cauli's, cabbages, broccoli and sprouts under netting since they went in the ground. There all big a strong now. And the netting is getting in the way. My father in law has said that they wont need covering anymore but as this is my first season as a GYO i'm worried the birds / bugs will start a party on my plot!! Any advice??

[Sue]

Hi
One word for you - pigeons!!
I can't grow any leafy veg without cover it all gets eaten, I use enviromesh which also helps defeat the slugs, butterflies and flea beatles.
Can you not make a bigger cover using longer canes draped with the netting?
best wishes
Sue

[northumberlandboy]

Thanks Sue had probs with birds on spares so good idea sure father in law will undersrtand!!

[Snadger]

I have all my brassica's under netting apart from some walking stick kale.

I've just noticed the kale, which is about four foot tall is pecked to bits on the top! The flaming flying rats(pigeons) must have sat in the crown of the plant and pecked it to bits.

For the first time ever the swedes have been attacked this year as well!

Deffo, the only way to protect brassicas is with netting of some description, size of plant doesn't seem to matter to pigeons!

[northumberlandboy]

Thats what we needed to hear!

[Alice]

I keep everything other nets all the time. Bit of an inconvenience but otherwise there is the pigeons, sparrows, cats - and dear knows what. I would love to be without them, BUT ........

[Mrs Dobby]

We have to keep the brassicas netted over here too, otherwise wabbits and caterpillars much them to bits!

[jackie j]

Mine are netted too I bought some blue piping from mole valley for about £15 and have made four covers using four lengths for each one and have three bits left over OH cut them quite long so they are quite tall.

[Nicos]

We are fully netted with enviromesh- and wildlife still manage to find a way in!!! ( bet there'd be nothing left if left open to the wild!)

[happybunny]

We haven't had any pigeon probz... *yet*

[GeorgieP]

How can you keep pigeons out of the garden? We've had them (I assume) eat our peas.

[Nicos]

How can you keep pigeons out of the garden? We've had them (I assume) eat our peas.

Could be mice too!

We have CD's strung about the place- and move them around a bit- the sudden sparkle of reflected sunlight ( Ha ha !!) takes them by surprise.
Also those brightly coloured children's windmills give them a shock when they suddenly start turning.

Heavy birds such as pigeons have sussed out that if they sit on top of netting/mesh, their weight lowers the height of the netting to allow access for picking at veg. Well caged fruit and veg should reduce an aerial attack!
Good luck!

[Gwyndy]

How can you keep pigeons out of the garden? We've had them (I assume) eat our peas.

You could try befriending a Peregrine falcon - lol. I had one in the garden earlier this year (they nest about a mile away) ripping one of the wood pigeons apart on the patio. Beautiful bird to watch - the peregrine not the pigeon! It did seem to spook the pigeons for a few days but sadly it didn't last. All my vulnerable crops on the allotment are netted.

[TinyT]

I've netted all of my brassicas - didn't want to risk the whitefly or the pigeons spying them!

[Stacey Steve]

I lost all my Broccoli last year to caterpillars, so definitely keep everything covered that doesn't need pollination