Brassica protection

[Small pumpkin]

I've had the best and worst year ever with my brassicas. They've grown brilliantly in this fantastic summer. Unfortunately the brassica eating bugs have made the most of the good weather as well. So next year I want to cover the beds.
I was thinking something like this

Or a walk in tunnel/cage of some sort. It has to be a permanent secure structure that's not going to disappear at the first windy weather we have.

The main problem has been these little moths


So finally getting to the point what fabric / net should I use?

Best place to buy as well please?

[Jay-ell]

How big are the little moths?

I use debris netting(scaffold netting) and it seems to work for the stuff I've had.

[Small pumpkin]

Not very big
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamondback_moth

[bario1]

You'll need enviromesh to keep those out. Gardening N@turally do a nice range of hoops and stuff, as well as the netting. It's quite pricey though.

[ESBkevin]

Enviromesh is best and should last a number of years.

With brassicas height and space becomes the issue. As the plants grow and spread, any leaf touching the net is a target for egg layers! So from experience I'd say go bigger/taller/wider to maximise the effect. I've learnt this lesson several times now and will be developing something better like I should have in the first place.

[bikermike]

another happy enrivomesh user here.

the problem is where the leaves touch the net. I am wondering about a second layer (either a coarser layer inside or another enviromesh layer outside) to ensure a clear gap

But yes, bigger the better. I bought some square hoops (think football goalposts) to fit my standardised raised beds. Only to find at least one of the standards isn't standard size... But I prefer them to hoops as you lose less on the edges

[bramble]

If you find enviromesh too expensive why not buy some net curtains.
You could pick up some remnants for a few pounds.

[Bren In Pots]

How big are the little moths?

I use debris netting(scaffold netting) and it seems to work for the stuff I've had.

I also use debris netting over a hooped cage made from blue water pipe its worked fine for the last few years.

[Jungle Jane]

I got my cheap net curtains but haven’t used them yet,I haven’t grown many brassicas this year I’m having a year off from caterpillars,it takes over your life forever searching & as a result this year it’s been nice seeing the little white butterflies. I found a basket of cheap offcuts in the range but there’s other curtain shops with the same. I remember asking the woman about the size & was it about this tall & she said to me “didn’t you measure your window?” like I was odd & I said “no,it’s not for a window” & gave her an odd look back like why would I put it in a window,don’t tell them what it’s for

[Jay-ell]

Go for blue debris netting - if you're going to block any of the light, block the ones leafy greens don't need (reg & green)

[Penellype]

Small moths are a real pain to keep out, as I have found with tortrix moth. They seem to be able to crawl under almost anything. Fine mesh such as has been suggested in earlier posts should keep most things out and will probably reduce but not completely eliminate your moth problem. It probably won't help with whitefly or flea beetle though, as I am finding at my allotment.

[Jay-ell]

planting pennyroyal can help reduce flea beetle.

[ESBkevin]

I also use debris netting over a hooped cage made from blue water pipe its worked fine for the last few years.

This is what I've got now, but i will be going enviromesh and having watched Micheal Brotherton on yootoob I shall make flat frames that clip together and make tall boxed nets over the beds and hopefully last years.

[bario1]

Go for blue debris netting - if you're going to block any of the light, block the ones leafy greens don't need (reg & green)

For the sake of your neighbours, go for black netting.

Oh hang on, you don't have any neighbours, do you?