cabbages and pigeons

[Mrs Ava]

At what stage do the pigeons loose interested in the brassicas?

[Mrs Ava]

[Kerry]

EJ, have looked up 'pigeons' in a great pests and diseases book I have.
no definitive answer, EJ, but here is what they said:
'wood pigeons cause most damage in spring and early summer when a few individuals making regular raids into gardens, usually in the early morning, can have disasterous effects.'
their suggestion under 'treatment' is:
'netting or fruit cages provide the only certain protection for susceptible plants although scaring devices may have some deterrent effect.'

[jo2]

I think it depends what else is growing, my few sprouts which won't fit under the net that the rest are under have not been touched but I think its because the many pigeons are too busy scoffing my neighbours soft fruit.

[tim]

Never?

But the most disastrous time, of course, is the seedling stage. Then on to the sprouts etc, especially if the winter is 'inclement'. = Tim

[derbex]

When they've eaten them all up ;D

[Doris_Pinks]

I agree with Tim and Derbex!!! They actually sit in the trees that surround my plot, I swear they are eyeing up what tasty snack I am putting in for them!! And that reminds me, buy more netting!! ;D  ;D

[Sarah-b]

I'm finding the whole netting thing a real hassle. Is fleece easier to manage?
The trouble is that the brassicas seem to require lots of attention and that means undoing the bizarre netting arrangement put together by the other half. And I can't face it - so the brassicas are just peeking up above a veritable lawn of weed seedlings.
Also I have watched the cabbage whites slip through the net and lay their eggs, and the flea beetles don't seem terribly peturbed by a good dose of derris and the calabrese is pathetic, and I think maybe I should give up brassicas altogether.
And the pigeons had all the cavelo nero and the mooli - before I knew it needed netting.
Sarah.

[Mrs Ava]

I am fleecing next year for sure as the bl*8dy caterpillars have all but stripped my brocolli!  OKay, well, will keep netting structures in place.  I have a couple of walking stick Kales, seed were given to me, and I am growing more for fun than anything, and they are almost 5 foot tall already - these are proving hard to net and I currently have a piece of net curtain draped and weighted down over them.  Think this will have to come off on Saturday and the kales will have to tough it out on their own!

[tim]

Empathy! But should this not be under pests & diseases??

It's mostly a question of how many & how much.
1. What area & how high the plants?
2. Total or limited protection?
3. Bird friendly?
4. Longevity?
5. Ease of handling?
6. Cost?

Both fleece & mesh do much the same job. Mesh (supplied by Agralan - http://www.agralan.co.uk/pest.com.html) is about 5x the price. But may last 5x as long. Only 'ultra-fine' will protect against fleabeetle.
I am happy to cut up a piece of fleece to suit a patch. I would not do the same with pre-formed mesh. The cheapest fleece is from N.A Kay in Cumbria (12p sq/m).
Whatever material, it MUST always lie on the ground all around, so 'gussets' must be left. Any overlap must be generous & tight. 'Whites' will sidle up a 2' overlap tha s not really flush.
In rain, fleece sags down & temporarily flattens plants. Mesh does not, but is a heavier material. Fleece is opaque - mesh is transparent & you can see any 'white' that has snook in.
I leave either on from planting to maturity - even for, say, sprouting broccoli.
With either, it is good practice to do an occasional check for eggs.
Our biggest piece is 50'x10'. For this, it is almost essential to have help in peeling back & replacing. Lesser bits are easy.

I'll think of some more later! = Tim

PS Emma - next year, get yourself some Dipel as well - belt & braces!

[tosh]

Pole with an old (white) compost bag over the top.Then string from the top to other poles canes with a piece of plastic or CD hanging from them so they sway/shine/russel in the wind and sun. I've tried not to over do it and you can still get to the plant without problems. Has worked at treat to the frustration of others on the site who have tried nets etc and still lost out the the pigeons and magpies.Cabbage white & white fly are still a nuisance.
My winter job is to cut out a large owl shape and use 2 red cds as eyes and see if that has an effect next year.