[RichardC]

My own fault I know, but I had cabbages, brocolli and sprouts coming through nicely, but due to lack of time and netting, I hadn't covered them and went to plot tonight to find the lot in ruins. I'm guessing pigeons 

I was already late with planting them, but thought I would stick them in and see how they went and they seemed to be doing fine as well. It is just so difficult to find the time to get to the plot during week (just about manage to get enough time for watering)and if I have stuff to do with the family at weekend, it can be a couple of weeks between meaningful visits before you know it.

It's annoying, but it is my first season, so I know I have lessons to learn. What I really want to know is, is it to late to re-sow? or should I give it a miss and pop something else in the space if so what would you suggest?

Thanks in advance for any input

Richard

[Paul Plots]

The packets in front of me now say:

"Holland Late Winter - sow April and May"
"January King - sow April to June"

I'd give either / both a go and keep an eye out for other winter varieties - it's worth a try.

"Chinese Cabbage (Wong Bok) = July to August".... not a brassica but a useful veg.

Don't you just love pigeons? Round our way I am sure they have narrower beaks as the little bu**ers manage to get their beaks part way through netting and reach in to nibble and rip!  

[lisa80]

if all else fails marshalls are doing and august planting pack 64 plants of 4 varieties (ther e is a choice)for about £ 15 including postage not sure if brussels are in there tho.I forgot to put kale in so have ordered a pack with 2 sorts and some cabbage and broccoli .Dont plan on doing this next year will be more organised but if it means you get a crop then may be worth it.

[SMD66]

we put in cabbage, cauli and brocolli.  The guy we bought them from said the pigeons love them so we netted them and they got going really well in our plot surrounded by rabbit proof netting but then a bl***y mole has lifted them almost out of the ground 2 nights running.  We keep firming them back in but have read that brassicas like their roots nice and firm so are hoping they don't die.  Mother nature is out to get us!

[Oliver]

if all else fails marshalls are doing an august planting pack 64 plants of 4 varieties ...  worth it.

I planted these last year. They overwintered ok, got clobbered early on in 2009 pigeons, but I netted them in late February and they have ROMPED away. We are eating cabbage now like crazy and there are more things to come.

but, if you still have stalks left by the pigeons, cover/net them now and they will recover - they just want to grow. trust me.
Oliver

[mumofstig]

I've only just sown winter cabbage MInicole, and Samantha small savoy, Tundra large savoy/white cabbage hybrid a very nice cabbage fully winter hardy if you have the space, and swede Marion still to sow. (Sowing dates savoys...may to July, minicole may to june, swede Mid april to mid july.)
So you have time to start again with winter cabbage and swede at least

[Sue33]

if I have stuff to do with the family at weekend, it can be a couple of weeks between meaningful visits before you know it.

can you get your family to join in down the allotment!!

[diggerjoe]

I had great hopes this years for brassicas - grew them on planted them lovingly covered them with a nice new netting cage and what did I forget.... d***m slug pellets. They stripped the lot - I didn't have my glasses on and didn't bother peering in through the netting so only noticed last weekend - bet they all though it was their birthday.

[RichardC]

Sorry for late reply to everyones comments. Have not been on-line for a while.

I think I may well have a further try and see what happens. Not got anything to lose except a few seeds!

Oliver - I think any hope of them surviving has gone. They are still just bare stems and have shown no signs of recovery 

Sue 33 - I would love to get family involved more and have tried. My OH does do a bit, but its rare that we can both be on the plot due to having the children to look after. The girls have been down a few times and like digging in the mud (or more like dust at present!) but they soon get bored (only 3 & 5) and, if I am brutally honest, are more hinderence than help (bless them). My hope is that they will get into it as they get older.

Hey ho - I hope to get a good session in on Saturday, so will get the brassica bed weeded and re-sown and then netted, slug pelleted and possibly bobby trapped 

Thanks as ever for all your thoughts. It certainly is a long steep learning curve!

Richard