[domw001]

Now we are in November and the butterflies are almost non-existant, what does every one think about removing netting?

I only really have Winter Cabbage, Kale, Brussels and PSB left.

Can the birds still attack now? or are the plants too big for them to bother?

[Aunt Sally]

The pigeons are always with us 

[Salmo]

I tie up the bottom of my nets so that small birds and hedgehogs can get in and eat slugs and other pests.

Top must be covered if you do not want to feed the pigeons

[binner]

i took mine off in september as we had not seen a flutterby all year then all of a sudden they turned up

[SUTTY1]

i have had surpisingly little trouble with pidgeons this summer/autumn

But i KNOW they'll be back in the winter when theres less and less other foods avaliable   My nets stay in place

[operabunny]

I found caterpillars this morning, so you're not safe yet!

[Fisherman]

I have had my Brassicas covered with Enviromesh all year yet some of the younger plants are being eaten with caterpillars that only seem to come out at night and hide underground during the day. I think they are Dart Moth caterpilars from what I have read! Anyone else had the same problem and any advice on prevention?

[mumofstig]

are you sure that it's not just small slugs eating the brassicas, small black ones live in the soil They're what are eating mine!
If Dart moths got under your enviromesh I think you would see the 'pillars eating.
http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o267-heartanddartmoth.php

[cornykev]

When it gets colder the rats with wings will be back with a vengeance.     

[Fisherman]

are you sure that it's not just small slugs eating the brassicas, small black ones live in the soil They're what are eating mine!
If Dart moths got under your enviromesh I think you would see the 'pillars eating.
http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o267-heartanddartmoth.php

I'm certain their caterpillars as I dug them up from around the plants. They vary from about an inch to an inch and half long and about quarter of an inch thick. Their a brown / green colour with darker markings along their backs. Have checked during the day and never seen one. They looked very plump and well fed

[NASH]

I have decided not to grow any brassicas other than Swede next year as the flavour does not seem to match the effort required.

[mumofstig]

do you really think that shop bought ones taste better

My autumn cabbages have been fabulous this year  and taste so much sweeter than the shop ones.....and , and the Jan King are looking good as well 

[SUTTY1]

I have decided not to grow any brassicas other than Swede next year as the flavour does not seem to match the effort required.

i am surprised
I hardly ate any brassicas till i started growing them, cant stand most supermkt stuff

[peapod]

I know I'm a one off, and I may live to eat my words (and not my cabbages) but hardly anyone on my site nets against anything. Last year I had a nightmare mucking about with weeding and nets and it didnt seem worth the hassle. We didnt have a decent crop of anything apart from swede.

This year I bunged in some sprouts as an afterthought and they have been fab - probably the crop I have been most proud of this year. No nets - just strong staking and firming, ditto the cabbages.

We'll see about the spring cabbages Yorkie sent to me though, but they are A-OK so far.