The Poultry Keeper

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 502 Location: gwent

just wanted to know what everyone else does this year we done our first veg patch up the field and it has turned out great but almost got a bit too much water and as few carrots split as a result but the only other problem i encountered was the catterpillars im pretty short of time when it comes to tur.ning each leaf over to look for eggs i found a few but must of missed lots is there anything i can do to prevent them getting on the veg?like using pea netting would that work if i put some over the top?or do can you use a fleece thing in the summer?and would this stop them? Question

nigel · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject:

We used fine pea netting 1cm mesh, that seem to keep most of them out.

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2089 Location: norfolk

I made sort of narrow pillow cases out of horticultural fleece and put them over the top of each brussel sprout plant tying the fleece round the stalk.

They are very quick to make up on the sewing machine and last at least a couple of seasons.

Kate

Attila The Hen · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 443 Location: Shetland

Pea netting, or if you're near the coast, old fishing net - a great favourite here in Shetland for this purpose.

A modern alternative is polypropelyne (think I've spelt that right!) sheets - I've used Wondermesh with great success.

See the following link for lots of info about the principle of the stuff as a whole - http://www.sac.ac.uk/mainrep/pdfs/ofts40pestorganicvegetables.pdf

and this one for Wondermesh - http://www.wondermesh.co.uk/content/view/14/40/

Attila

hollycopter · Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 8 Location: bradford

i use debris netting which is the green netting used on scaffolding around building sites etc when the scaffolding is being removed they usually throw it in the skip asking a nice polite question like could i have some as resulted in me owning enough to cover my entire street Laughing

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2299 Location: North Cornwall

I use the black netting that farmers put over their plastic wrapped bales to stop birds pecking the plastic. I find that if you do use netting you need stakes or canes with a pot on top to hold the netting away from the plants. The butterflies will lay eggs through the netting anywhere the plants and netting touch and it needs to go right to the ground or they fly under.

Kates idea of bags sounds good. You could make them from old net curtains from the Charity shops. Im going to try that Very Happy

Gourami · Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 53

Theres an article in the Grow your own magazine this month and it says fleece or netting is good but to make sure it doesnt touch the leaves of the plant as a determined butterfly can lay through most netting.

scottg · Joined: 18 Sep 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Bristol, UK

Debris netting held high over the plants works for me, as well as squishing and little beggars that get under/through the net!!
Soapy water spayed on the plants every now and then seems to help as well.