[wbmkk]

Hi

This is my first year with an allotment, so I am still learning.

Why do folk put short lengths of plastic pipe around their cabbage plants  .. in fact I think all brassica plants

At the allotments, it seems most plots have canes full of these wee lengths of pipe, ready for the new growing season.

is it simply to prevent wind damage, when the plants are small.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Totty]

Do you mean blue or yellow pipe, bent into arches? These are used as a frame to attach netting and mesh to to avoid damage from pests.

Totty

[wbmkk]

Do you mean blue or yellow pipe, bent into arches?

No, sections of waste pipe (perhaps about 110mm diameter) cut into lengths, about 100mm long

[mikem]

Could they be for putting around leeks and not brassicas?

[al78]

It could be to try and stop cabbage root fly and slugs.

[JohnB47]

Do you mean blue or yellow pipe, bent into arches?

No, sections of waste pipe (perhaps about 110mm diameter) cut into lengths, about 100mm long

I've never heard of this or seen it. But could you check your dimensions - your pipe has a bigger diameter than it has length.  Perhaps it's a clever way to 'trap' snails, for disposal later. I've often found that my ladders, which have hollow section uprights,  are full of hibernating snails.

[boldondig]

I'm guessing as I too have not seen this - but could they be supports to drop a bamboo cane in to make a protection cage. I my experience - brassicas need to be protected as the pigeons on our allotment would strip the leaves bare in a day.  To be honest - the easiest way to find out is to ask someone who has them on their plot.

[Casey76]

I'd guess at them being used as collars to stop pests eating the stalk?

[rubberfrog]

I used to have a few issues with cut worms chopping the Cabbage plants of at ground level. Been using cut piece of pipe for a few years and had no further issues.  Hope this is what you mean.

[Snoop]

Wow! I'm glad I dropped in on this thread. That is a fantastic idea. Just what I need for my lettuce, as well as my cabbage, not just for snails and the like but also to stop the dogs trampling all over them as they go off charging after a fox.

Now to persuade my oh to cut up loads of his hard-gleaned scrap drainpipe...

[rubberfrog]

Wow! I'm glad I dropped in on this thread. That is a fantastic idea. Just what I need for my lettuce, as well as my cabbage, not just for snails and the like but also to stop the dogs trampling all over them as they go off charging after a fox.

Now to persuade my oh to cut up loads of his hard-gleaned scrap drainpipe...

Its not easy to cut, I used a crosscut saw.

Happy cutting and wear safety glasses. 

[wbmkk]

I used to have a few issues with cut worms chopping the Cabbage plants of at ground level. Been using cut piece of pipe for a few years and had no further issues.  Hope this is what you mean.

Brilliant ! 

Spot on !

thanks

[4 Seasons]

I used to have a few issues with cut worms chopping the Cabbage plants of at ground level. Been using cut piece of pipe for a few years and had no further issues.  Hope this is what you mean.

Looks like you're gardening next to a volcano!

[SpeckledFrog]

I do the same sort of thing but use large plastic drinks bottles cut into 2" strips.  It keeps slugs etc off as the cut bit is rough also it's quite good for watering as the water tends not to run off as much.

[azubah]

The soil is an unusual colour. Is it very dry?