Grow Your Own Magazine

Not sure if I've picked the right place for this thread as it's my first, so here goes.
Has anyone successfully used old net curtains to stop butterflies laying eggs on cabbages? If the answer to that is no, any other recommendations of deterrents to use?
Also, is it just cabbages at risk or will the same thing happen to cauliflower, broccoli and PSB? Mine are currently babies in modules so I want to get the preventative measures right before planting out.

Thanks in advance, Claire.

Hi Claire and Welcome!

I haven't used old nets, but it sounds like a good idea to me, providing they are sheer and not all dense and heavy! I'm off into town later so will scour the charity shops for some!

Last summer I spent most of it squishinng eggs and Caterpillers left by Cabbage Whites on my PSB so it's definately all brassicas they go for!

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Always aim for the best result possible not the best possible result

I haven't used them myself but a friend uses loads and says they work. Just put a wanted on my local freecycle to try and get some.

Any fine mesh netting will do - green stuff from the pound shop or net curtains from the charity shop. All brassicas can be attacked by cabbage white butterflies, PSB, cabbage, broccoli, sprouts, kale. If you're netting it will also protect against pigeon damage, but do make sure you leave enough headroom for the plants to grow, and also make sure it's anchored securely at the bottom.

last year my red cabbage was full of holes and the caulis that survived the pigeons were full of green caterpillars
this year i have an 3 8ft x 8ft beds on a 3 bed rotation, so if i can knock up some sort of cage with netting, hopefully my brassicas will be ok this year, and i should be able to move the cage to the next bed next year ....

is there any deterrent to the cabbage whites?
i've seen some people use old CDs hanging from canes etc - does that really deter pigeons and other birds??

Many thanks to all for your advice. I'll get OH to rummage in loft at weekend for old nets, he won't be allowed back down until he's found them!!!