[belto]

I have just secured an allotment and when it's possible clearing all weeds grass etc
Planning a head I would like to grow broccoli and similar type of veg.
My past experience years ago was that the plants grew well but I could not get my wife and kids to eat it because the heads were infested with small worms etc.
Is there any cure for this .
I remember a neighbor of mine who grew Chrysanthemums for showing and to protect the head he covered it with a bag.
Has this been practiced at all.
The bag would have to let the light in and also be well ventilated would fleece be the answer?
With the current costs so high it would be worth the effort

[naturesparadise]

i must admit worm infested  heads is a new one on me

i have never seen that before  :?:  :?:

what did they look like


just did a google search for you found this

10. Q. How can I control worms that get in my broccoli heads?

A. These are probably loopers, imported cabbage worms, or perhaps broccoli head worms. Regardless of the type worm, they can be controlled with a product containing Bacillus thuringiensis. This is a biological-type insecticide which controls most types of worms. This material must be eaten by the worm and activated by the gut of the worm which is alkaline. The worm then dies a slow and painful death from terminal constipation! This takes 2 to 3 days which means worms are not killed immediately. This is a completely safe chemical and can be used for control of most types of worms on most garden vegetables. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of a liquid detergent per gallon of spray mixed to insure adequate wetting of the waxy leaf surface.

here is the link
http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/vegetables/broccoli.html

[belto]

Thanks for the fast response
As I said it was along time ago but from memory they weresmall and white. not apparent on the casul look but a lot more when the head was broken

[Clampit]

Does anybody know if this Bacillus thuringiensis would affect our very good friend the earthworm?

[gobs]

No. These are strictly speaking not 'worms'. Different caterpillars of most likely, different cabbage flies.

Just net or fleece them as with all brassica.

[cudders]

I also plan lots of brassicas but how on earth can you cover them all with fleece etc?

You'd have to build massive frames and move them around all the time. Must be an easier way or am I thick  :shock:

Cudders

[gobs]

Some people build such frames.  

A finer netting, secured with sticks on edges of your bed should exclude most butterflies though.

Also have a look around your site.

[Aidy]

certainly a new one on me, I only grow Early Purple sprouting, never had said worms yet (just watch this year major infestation) I do cover with netting over the summer months to keep the butterflies off and keep the netting on over winter to stop mr flying rat having a meal.

[belto]

The fleece that has been mentioned is this laid in contact or suspended

[Aidy]

small holed netting would do I reckon, so long as the butterflies etc cant get through, it comes in much wider lengths, I put canes in the ground with pop bottles on and put the netting over that, so forming a cage like Gobs is about to post and suggest.  

[gobs]

The netting (of whatever sort you apply) IMHO needs to be like cage, but clear above plants and still reaching to the ground to be really effective.

[belto]

I am amazed at the response from this site.
It takes in  excess of 3hrs to get an e mail 3-4 miles as the crow flies.
 
Thanks for all the response it just makes me, like many others here itching for the weather to break and get on  the land.

Tonight in the dark went to the allottment took  a double compost    container made from pallets this past week end,  also a large lorry trailer cover to smother the weeds

[clive f]

you were right aidy          

[gobs]

small holed netting would do I reckon, so long as the butterflies etc cant get through, it comes in much wider lengths, I put canes in the ground with pop bottles on and put the netting over that, so forming a cage like Gobs is about to post and suggest.  

You cheeky *.  

[Rob the rake]

you were right aidy          

Bullseye! Nice shot.