[digital_biscuit]

hi all!

I have been growing my brassicas under nets since they were little seedlings and they have now gotten quite big. I was wondering when, if at all, nets protecting them from prowling pidgeons could come off?

Cheers
Darren

[Sadgit]

The cabbage whites would then be your biggest pest. I would keep them netted. I always keep mind under fleece till I harvest. i.e. harvested about 20 broc plants last night and not a single caterpillar to be seen...

[diggerjoe]

I've got mine under enviromesh but the funny nthing is the red kale that was beautiful and red is now getting greener by the day must be the rays can't get through  :o  - when we get any that is! I've loads of cauli plants potted up to get in under some more mesh but as they haven't learnt to swim yet I'll keep them on dry land for a bit

[Beanzie]

I also keep the net on for the life of the crop. If it has a fine mesh it will also keep the cabbage whites away.

[corndolly]

I've loads of cauli plants potted up to get in under some more mesh but as they haven't learnt to swim yet I'll keep them on dry land for a bit

Have the same problem, dwarf Kale and cabbage plants ,those that germinated ?? ( many did'nt) are ready to go out into the paddy field .When the clay soil eventually dries out ( in September)will they be entombed forever in concrete !! ?Dwarf DOES IT MEAN THEY WILL ONLY BE 3" forever??

[loubylou29]

Ok, complete newbie prob stupid question... When you say you net them do you make aframe and put the net over that? or do you drape a net over the plants. otherwise how do you know how tall to make the net? my Sprouting broc is about 2/3ft tall now. how tall will it be buy next spring?!

[Sadgit]

I basically use old hosepipe cut to a length and then put over canes to make an "n" shape, I make it so I can adjust the height if needed. you put several of these in a row to form the basis of a tunnel, then cover with fleece.

[digital_biscuit]

Cheers all, will keep the nets on my brassicas then!