"Joanne" wrote in message
news:k3dEc.62$m14.18@newsfe4-gui...
Last year I grew ornamental kale from seed, but when I returned from my
summer holiday all the plants had been completely eaten by caterpillars,
so
into the compost bin they all went.

I'd like to try again, but I'll be going on holiday again. So, can anyone
suggest how to keep the caterpillars off the plants?

Ornamental kale plants are quite expensive to buy (why is that?), so I'd
really like to grow my own.

Many thanks.
------------------------
The caterpillars came from the eggs of the Cabbage White butterfly.
If you can stop them laying eggs then there will be no caterpillars.
If you are going away for a couple of weeks you could try covering
with some very light muslin.
I grow nasturtiums nearby which they seem to prefer.
Look under the leaves for batches of eggs before you leave them.
Regards Brian.