Topic: Brassica Collars

[Jesse]

Ok, time to panic. I'm planting out my cauliflowers, cabbages and broccoli tomorrow and just realised I have no brassica collars. I have no old carpet or vinyl to use. Is there anything else I can use that I might find around the house, perhaps sheets of newspaper or something similar. And how big (diameter) do they need to be and should they fit closely to the stem or do I need to allow some room for growth.

[thomasb]

Jesseveve,
I have found the one you can buy as been good value. Although they can be cheaper from your local garden- centre or hardware shop over the online gardening shops such as gone-gardening etc. (as I found to my cost last year....)
Thomas

[Merry Tiller]

Thinnish corrugated cardboard cut into 4 inch squares, cut a line to the centre, they should last long enough to do the job and you can chuck 'em on the compost heap when you're done

[Jesse]

Corrugated cardboard I do have  :D  How long do they need to stay on for?

[Merry Tiller]

Well I just leave them on until the plant is finished with, the stem pushes the collar apart as it grows, I suppose the collar is most vital when the plant is small and therefore more susceptible to pests etc.

[Jesse]

Thanks MerryT  :)