This is the journal of my endeavours to grow a range of fruit, veg and flowers from seed, grow organically, and my attempts to create a personal paradise with 1/2 acre of maintained gardens and 1/2 acre wild meadows. Northern Ireland's average daily high temperatures are 18 °C (64 °F) in July and 6 °C (43 °F) in January. Soil type: Clay

Friday, 3 June 2011

Cabbage Challenge

Last year I grew a cabbage in a small pot and was quite proud of it as this was my first cabbage growing experience. (The plants I put directly in the ground were ravished by slugs and caterpillers.)

This year.... I've grown cabbage and broccoli from seed in my conservatory / sun room. They're gettting quite big in their little pots and need to go outside.

My challenge or dilemna for the week is ..... 'how do I get my plants hardened off outside without white butterflies laying their eggs on them?' I see lots of white butterfliies in the garden. I haven't got my brassica cage made yet, so plans for the weekend - make brassica cage with netting, harden off plants and plant out.

Last year's pot grown veg can be viewed at http://kelliboylesgarden.blogspot.com/2010/08/salad-container-gardening-cabbage-salad.html

Photo taken Sept 2010.
Variety: Cabbage Golden Acre, Homebase Seeds, 175 seeds, 39 pence per pack.
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11 comments:

  1. ann3 June 2011 at 05:40

    A bit netting draped over the top should do, I would think.

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  2. Mark Willis3 June 2011 at 05:54

    Maybe you shoud do what Hazel did and re-use an old wedding-dress??
    I have found an anti-butterfly net to be a huge advantage when growing brassicas. This year I haven't had a single caterpillar (yet...)

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  3. Egretta Wells blog3 June 2011 at 09:07

    I know everyone wants to be "green and natural", but I resort to a dusting of Sevin on at least the lower leaves before veggies set in. Am not sure about cabbages, though, because nothing much seems to bother them here. Not so with my eggplant, which something has eaten off every bloom! So today, I am dusting them with Sevin. I think it is grasshoppers!

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  4. Martyn3 June 2011 at 12:17

    I need to use butterfly netting as it not only keeps off the cabbage whites it also stops attacks from the wood pigeons who in one evening munch through every bit of leaf, leaving brassicas looking like a plague of caterpillars has taken over the plot. Like most gardeners I've learnt this the hard way.

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  5. Malay-Kadazan girl3 June 2011 at 15:34

    Wow I wish I can grow cabbage like that. I still can't grow cabbage that look like cabbage since we have to share it with caterpillar and snail. I am hoping that this month finally the white butterfly will go asleep as the weather gets colder so I can finally transplant some of the brassicas.

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  6. HolleyGarden3 June 2011 at 18:11

    It always gets too hot for my cabbage to do well. Yours looks great in the pot!

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  7. ~TastyTravels~3 June 2011 at 21:15

    I also recommend netting or row covers. I've had lots of success with these growing chinese cabbage and other greens!!

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  8. Jo4 June 2011 at 01:18

    My brassicas are waiting patiently to be planted out too. I'm hoping I have better luck with my cabbages which have always been munched through by the slugs.

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  9. Rainy Day Gardener4 June 2011 at 21:11

    I have no suggestions as I've never grown broccoli or cabbage, but netting has worked wonders for my veggie boxes. So, I'll be watching your progress with anticipation :)

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  10. Ali6 June 2011 at 03:28

    I have no idea either - but fabulous cabbage in a pot!

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  11. littlekarstar6 June 2011 at 04:17

    WOW your cabbage in a pot looks terrific!

    I was a bit lazy this year and didn't net my brassica properly...and they ALL got eaten by those awful caterpillars boo hooooooo hoooooo :(

    Stick up some piping and cover it all in fine netting.

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