Protecting brassicas from pests

Plant hardened off kale, cabbage and cauliflower into their final positions. Though hardy, brassicas still need protection as they’re vulnerable to ground and aerial attack from pests from the time they’re planted. We fleece them immediately to prevent cabbage root flies from entering and laying eggs beside the roots. Fleece also prevents pigeons eating the brassicas. In June, when root fly is less of a danger, the fleece is removed and replaced with butterfly netting. Otherwise, cabbage white butterflies will lay eggs on the underside of brassica leaves in the summer, and the resultant caterpillars have a field day.

Now is the time to plant savoy cabbage deeply into final positions in their beds