[nicsastar]

hi  all
 my small veg patch has been totally ruined by caterpillars in a matter of days and i would like to know how i could have got rid of them so im more prepared for next year  . i dont want to use pesticides unless they are organically approved as this defeats why i wanted to grow my own in the first place . has any one got any ideas ? not that my chickens will want you to let me know as they are eating my veg and the caterpillars as i write this  thanks 

[Tattyanne456]

If you reallywant to be totally organic, the only two things I can suggest are 1 . cover with mesh and 2. vigilantly  check the underside of leaves every day and remove by hand anything you see. I know how you feel, my greenhousae tomatoes and chillis are constantly under attack from them

[Yorkie]

TA456 is right, there's no organic spray.  Get some debris netting or enviromesh or similar (max 7mm hole size) and that will keep the cabbage white butterflies off your veg

[Norfolkbird]

I agree with the other comments - vigilance and don't give the butterflies the opportunity to get near your plants.  I bought some winter cabbage seedlings yesterday afternoon, got them out of the car and left them in the garden at about 5.30 yesterday, planted them out this morning at 9am, and ALREADY they had eggs on them!  None there when I bought them, I checked!  Little b******....

[peapod]

Same here, Im organic with everything except slug pellets (so not totally) but debris netting works for me. Net AS SOON AS you put in

[Aunt Sally]

If I need to spray my plants with anything I try to stick to soft soap wich is OK for organic gardening. 

http://the-plant-directory.co.uk/chempak-m-12.html

[animal mad]

i havehad the same problem and go out there everyday to pick caterpillars off my veg, the upside is the chickens seem to love them.