What size.......

[carrot-cruncher]

..........do my brassica collars need to be?

I've got my hands on some old carpet tiles ready to cut up into brassica collars & wondered if there's a recommended size?

The tiles are 500mm (19.5 inches) square.  My original plan was cut each tile into sixteen but wondered if that'll make each collar too small.   I've got ten tiles so far but can get extra if I need to make the collars larger.

All advice gratefully received

CC

[carrot-cruncher]

[tim]

4"

[Svea]

on that subject, when are they put on? how long do they stay there? and what other materials can one use? ???

thanks
svea

[simon404]

I would cut your tiles into 9, ie approx 6 inches square. Collars go on at planting time and stay on until harvesting.

[Merry Tiller]

They need to be quite thin and flexible so that the plant can push it apart as it grows IE. it wont restrict the stem. They are usually about 3 or 4 inches across and should be put on when you transplant the brassicas to their final positions

[Debs]

Svea,

Having grown brassicas for first time last year I would strongly

recommend that you cover them with fleece / fine net, to prevent

cabbage white butterfly laying eggs, if you don't, ( like I didn't  :-\)

you will find that emerging caterpillars will crawl between the stems

and can only be properly removed ( I discovered) by soaking the veg

in salted water for couple of hours before you use it.

"This year, I shall mostly be gardening while wearing my...

           'Prevention is better than Cure'  hat !!" 

Debs ;D ;D ;D