Cabbage white butterflies

[WeeGarden]

Has anyone noticed a decline this year (not that I'm complaining!)?

It's just that, between being newly pregnant so being too tired to keep things tidy and taking some tips from Alys Fowler (not planting in blocks and growing flowers amongst the veggies), I haven't had any problems this year, so wondered if it was the method or just that numbers are down?

[Bren In Pots]

Come to think of it I haven't seen that many flying around the garden, hope I've not spoken too soon.

[SarzWix]

Flippin' plenty of 'em round 'ere...

[gorgeousgrower]

Was thinking the same thing myself this week.

Saw lots of them when we had that nice weather back in April (I think) but only really seen a couple of them in last few weeks.

[CaroltheCarrot]

I havent seen many but again thought it was because of companion planting etc

[WeeGarden]

Thanks! I think it might have been the cold weather we had in winter killing them off then?

I've had a few of the large white single caterpillars, but not the ones that descend in their hundreds on each leaf.

(hope I haven't spoken too soon either!)

[Two_Sheds]

We've had a few round here, not so many. I think the cold weather has -delayed- them

[Bigmallly]

Ditto, haven't seen any yet. I'm wondering whether to take the netting off but knowing my luck they will be watching...........

[peanut]

Only seen one or two....I'm liking this!!!

[Two_Sheds]

Something's already laid eggs on my greenhouse cabbages: I picked lots of tiny caterpillars off the suddenly-holey leaves y'day

[Whitespin]

Having gone to a great deal of trouble, over winter, making butterfly proof cages, ready for the annual onslaught on my brassicas I find that the issue this year is not butterflys (I've only seen 2 large whites) but lack of rain. Being on a meter I have to be careful with the watering and here in South Yorkshire most things are hardly growing, although our first early potatoes (Sharp) are cropping quite well but the tubers are very small. We have had no appreciable rain for 6 weeks what rain there has been has hardly wet the soil.

More of a concern is that besides the shortage of butterflys we have hardly any bees of any variety. We have a wildlife friendly garden with patches of clover and a lavender hedge but only see the occasional bee. In fact this evening there was great excitement when we saw 5 bees on the lavendar! But in truth there should have been dozens. Is the cold winter to blame or our very dry spring?

[reetnproper]

Can I ask what companion plants can be used as Cabbage White deterrents please?

[CaroltheCarrot]

I planted nasturtiums as sacrificial plants but to be honest they havent been touched either

[Comfreyfan]

Likewise here - I thought they were maybe just delayed - would be lovely to think they'd taken a beating last winter (I'm not really so sadistic, but I AM fond of my brassicas!).

[selfraising]

Have only had a couple in the garden so far this year. Found one caterpillar today but have loads of black and green fly!!