really fed up

[kittykat8]

had to pull up 35 cabbages today due to cabbage root fly no cabbages left, what can I put into mthe ground to make sure that any lava is killed, before I try and buy some more.

thanks
marion

[Pottypotter]

I think you have to leave the ground for a couple of years before planting brasicas again. someone who knows more will let you know what is safe to plant instead and if anything can be done to kill the lava.

[heebiejeebie]

Found this suggestion for companion planting -

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/orga...innov.php?id=1

[Earthbabe]

I think the only thing that can kill the larvae is now banned so you if you want cabbages this year you may have to find another spot and remember the collars and firming the soil well. Companion planting can help I think by confusing the fly in the first place. There was also some work done with carrot and parsnip I think.

[Snadger]

Try doing the same as Snadger and use a rhubarb leaf in the planting hole.

It may help, but the reason I use it is to ward off clubroot!

If cabbage rootfly have attacked plants, when you pulled them up the grubs should have been in the roots?
If I had to plant more brassicas in the same place I would turn over the top six inches and expose any bugs to the birds. Tread it down again and then plant, individual pot grown plants and put a collar around them made from underlay.

[Janmor]

Hi
I read somewhere that if you cut a circle of cardboard - from a cereal packet or something like that - and cut a small hole in the centre, then cut from outer edge to centre, place around plant when planting making sure the cardboard comes into contact with the earth, this will stop the flies from laying eggs. Haven't tried it but hope it helps. The butterflies allways get mine!

[Snadger]

Hi
I read somewhere that if you cut a circle of cardboard - from a cereal packet or something like that - and cut a small hole in the centre, then cut from outer edge to centre, place around plant when planting making sure the cardboard comes into contact with the earth, this will stop the flies from laying eggs. Haven't tried it but hope it helps. The butterflies allways get mine!

It does work Janmor, but I think kittykat8 is more worried about grubs that remain after pulling up infected plants!

[heebiejeebie]

so that's...
(1) cardboard collar for cabbage root fly
(2) rhubarb for clubroot
(3) fleece for flutterbyes

Might get some brassicas this year!