Roy wrote:
On Saturday, August 10, 2013 9:59:16 PM UTC-6, David Hare-Scott wrote:
Drew Lawson wrote:

Next year I may add cabbage to the broccoli. Either way, I am

strongly considering row covers for next year, as long as it is a

reusable material.



Polymer mesh used for netting fruit trees is cheap and will last
quite a few

seasons especially if not put under stress. You could make hoops
out of

polypipe to stand it off the plants or just drape it over. You can
water

and inspect through the mesh and just lift it to harvest. I find
this a

very simple solution to cabbage butterflies.



David

Been using derris dust for over 50 years...good control of
cabbage worms and the derris dust has not harmed me one iota.
Why put up with these pests when it is so easy to dust the
cabbages?

Why kill so many invertebrates indescriminately when a bit of net will
selectively keep out the butterflies and prevent them laying? Why keep
applying dust every time it rains or you water (if watering overhead) when
the net will work the entire growing season with no effort required? Old
habits die hard but give it a try. I am not so dogmatic as to say never use
insecticides but when it saves money, effort and collateral damage it's a
very easy decision.

David