[Debsie]

My kale is or should I saw was looking lovely but now its been munched to bits by hundreds of caterpillars, don't want to use sprays so have been picking off by hand and hosing off, next year /i will plant a companian plant but want to know if there is a solution for now, was hoping to keep it growing over winter.

[pigeonpie]

Hi,
We had this problem a couple of years ago when we never got round to netting the kale.  We just let the caterpillars have free run before pulling off the affected leaves and it sprouted back giving us enough to eat.  Now we always make sure we net it with proper butterfly safe netting, although I always grow a few spare plants elsewhere so the caterpillars can have some food!
 

[kermit]

SAme happened to our kale last year. As has been suggested it does grow back but not ideal. This year we have covered with enviromesh and not a 'piller in sight. However the flee beetles seem to be loving the added protection - you can't win!