Protecting Cabbages - this year

[inearlygaveup]

After having to squish, what seemed to be thousands of caterpillars from my cabbages last year.

Is there an easier or cheaper way to protect them other than building a timber framed cage and covering with fine netting.

I have a 6mtr x 1.2mtr bed and was thinking of building 3 - 2mtr x 1.2mtr frames.

[allotmentlady]

hmm we tend to just throw the netting over the cabbage, weigh it down, or peg it down and the ends. We only had a few caterpillars last year. Why dont you buy a Butterfly bush or plant flowers, to encourage them to lay their. Also if you have nettles on your plot, dont trim to many down.

[Two_Sheds]

Cabbage Whites only lay their eggs on brassicas. Hence the name. Nettles are good for other species though.
You need to net them, really you do.

[FionaH]

I am thinking of getting some blue piping to make a frame with. If I can get it cheap

[emilymup]

We got our blue pipe from screwfix - 50 metres of 25mm pipe for £25! Enviromesh was more but I figured if it lasts at least 10 years then it should be worth it!! Has kept my brassicas growing beautifully with no damage from birds etc - albeit probably a bit slow because of the cold weather and frosts!!