[richrua]

Hey folks -

last two years I have had the exact same problem with all my cabbages / broccoli : they grow to a decent size, I plant em out with a ring to protect them , yet it still seems to be cutworm that gets them. severed stem at ground level.

I think I might use nematodes this year.

Anyone used them for cutworm? Any use?

[Carrot Man]

Give them a try, there's no harm in it
I have tried them this year also for the first time but everyone I know has told me they are useless
I am hoping they are wrong
Remember, as soon as you get them, put them in the fridge or they will be useless anyway

[archibtbm]

I've used nematodes for slugs which was quite effective, but I now use collars for my cabbages etc...  mainly due to the cost of nematodes.  I also have bird feeders dotted around the plot.....nothing better than a hungry sparrow or 3

[Carrot Man]

I did put this tip on another post but Clive Bevan, a National Giant veg champion, gave a great tip at one of his talks at a National Show, he advised planting brassica's on top of a small stick of Rhubarb
It is supposed to dissolve and protect the root from under soil attack

[Donnay]

Has anyone planted brassicas on a ruhbarb stick before?

[pawsnclaws]

No but there is something i read on here earler today saying there is no evedence that it works 

[devonbarmygardener]

I've used nematodes for slugs which was quite effective, but I now use collars for my cabbages etc...  mainly due to the cost of nematodes. 

I used these nematodes one year.
Now it might have been the fact that they arrived while I was away and were at the post office for 2 days but, I didn't see much effect.
However saying that, my mate on the plot below mine had a cracking year for little slug damage so I think they ran away from my plot onto his!

For brassicas and in general - it's caterpillars that are my worst enemy - total nemesis!

Emma