How do I protect my brassicas, they always get eaten? Several rows of young Brussels sprout plants were destroyed overnight by something
Mr H Graham, Suffolk
Brussels, cabbages and in fact all brassicas are prone to damage by pigeons and cabbage white caterpillars. The only way to prevent the damage is to net as soon as the crop is sown or planted out. A fine crop protection mesh such as Veggiemesh or Enviromesh will protect against flea beetles which can also be troublesome and cause tiny holes in the leaves. If pigeons and caterpillars are more of a problem then a wider holed net is fine. Do buy one called butterfly netting so it will keep both cabbage white butterflies and pigeons at bay. You do need to raise the net away from the foliage because the butterflies can lay their eggs through the net if the leaves touch the netting underneath.