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I have always had a problem with growing cabbages. I have some over-wintering plants in at the moment, and something is eating them. It looks like caterpillars, but I can't see any, and surely it is the wrong time of year for caterpillars?

Any thoughts on what I can do?

Cheers.

I would not mind betting that the catterpillars that are eating your cabbage have got feathers on and have wings ie- pigeons unless you cover them with some sort of net if not they will scoff the lot jacob

Hi I did have caterpillars eating my cabbage leaves about a month ago, they were very tiny green ones. You will need to check the underside of your leaves for them, then pick them off and destroy them. I did have to keep doing this for a number of weeks before they had all gone. I have no idea whether they would still be active in November though.

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Could be snails - pigeons strip the leaves back to the stalks. If the damage is lacy holes then if you can't see caterpillars it's probably snails. They climb, whereas slugs tend to stay at ground level.

I don't know, there are caterpillars still working in my garden and the birds are having a field day with them. It has been mild.

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Best wishes
Andrewo
Harbinger of Rhubarb tales

Yep i`m in the same boat. Still battling with caterpillars on my Duncan spring cabbages. Must be a new mutant hardy type as we have had a t least 4 good frosts here in Derby.

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Ilikepumpkins, I think you have to give us a bit more detail about your problems growing cabbages. What kind of damage are they suffering ? Tell us more and I'm sure somebody will have the answer to your problem.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

If it's slugs or snails then look for the tell tale slime trails, if it;s caterpillars then you would find them under the leaves. They would take on a colour very similar to the veg they are noshing on. My bet is the same as jacob marley, pigeons, they will do the trick every time, the little devils.

If it's pigeons - they're great in a red wine sauce.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

He He. Nicely put Alice

Pigeons LOVE cabbages. Pigeons love almost anything small, in fact ¬¬

Back in the times when I had space to grow cabbages and the like, I used to put a stick, about 5 inches taller than the cabbages, on each corner of the patch. Then I would tie some strings betwen them, and them some more from side to side, thus creating a "honeycomb" pattern that prevented the winged suckers from landing in the patch.

Worked well for me... guess you can take them out with a BB or even a .22, but I just hate killing!

I net most young veg - we live in a farming area and the pigeons just thrive here.

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 17th - The Big Dig

Another advantage of using nets or any other cover instead of killing the flying predators... birds eat a lot of bugs! And they are very fond of snails and caterpillars.

If your net is fine enough the insects can't get in - so you don't get caterpillars on - they do need to be VERY fine though. Enviromesh does the trick.

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 17th - The Big Dig

I put netting over my spring cabbages - the pigeons sat on it and ate the greens through the mesh, breaking several of the leaves and ruining half the crop.

How would they like it if I hung around the bird feeder and took their seed???

My cabbages have been dessimated - and the sprout tops have been munched by birds (I know because they left behind the tell-tale droppings!!). I hadn't put netting over the sprouts, but I did yesterday. Cabbages are being eaten by something, whatever it is it's hungry, and likely to be full of wind I'd wager! Luckily, it/they don't seem as fond of cauliflowers which are right next door and doing quite well.

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A simple dude trying to grow veg.

http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - Minor update - 10th November

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Not that it helps with the answer to your problem, but my cabbages didnt get above 4/5inches tall before they were gobbled up by, I think, caterpillars. Netting netting netting - my mantra for next year!! And at least you know you're not alone Ilikepumpkins!

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Life may not be the party we hoped for but since we're here we might as well dance

A combination of Enviromesh & organic slug pellets has kept my brassicas really healthy, we're eating kale & savoy cabbages already, with minimal damage. The sprouts are growing a bit more slowly, but hopefully there'll be some ready for Christmas! The mesh also protects from wind damage, and gives a little frost protection (only a degree or so), so I think it has been a good investment - we bought it from Harrod Horticultural as you can order it by the metre.

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Sarah

“Tell me one last thing,” said Harry. “Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?”
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

The problem is probably due to pigeons. Cover them with netting.
Good Luck

Welcome to The Grapevine forum Will D, with your first ever post!

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Wellie

Give it some....

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