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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: supersprout on May 16, 2006, 12:41:23

Title: Cabbage munchers
Post by: supersprout on May 16, 2006, 12:41:23
Planted out a row of cavalo nero and red russian kale on Sunday ;D
Returned to the plot today to find pigeons have gorged on the cavalo nero leaving little stumps :'(
For some reason they have left the red russian kale alone ???
The seedlings are covered up now, and I hope the c.n. will recover, but could kick myself for not covering them up when I planted them.
A moment's carelessness eh?
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: Mrs Ava on May 16, 2006, 12:50:52
Wow.  The kale seems to be safe on our site - no chance for the cabbages or sprouts though.  Thieving miserable birds!  Do you have any seed left so you could sow a few more?
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: supersprout on May 16, 2006, 12:53:03
Good thought e-j, will have a scrummage in my seed box. I'm sure there's plenty of time if there are no survivors.
Hmm, what is it about kale then? Do the pigeons know something we don't? :-X ::) ;)
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: Biscombe on May 16, 2006, 12:54:06
HI there! I have problems with birds too!! Do you have any bird scarers? I use strips of card with tin foil wrapped around (feel like I should be on blue peter making tese!!!) and/or old CD's. Pesky birds!!
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: SMP1704 on May 16, 2006, 19:41:09
and what about the flea beetle??  I sowed two rows of Pak Choi, calabrese and summer cabbage.  The summer cabbage is relatively unscathed, but those beasties just love the pak choi - full of little holes.

I covered everything with netting but I shall have to save my pennies for a giant roll of enviromesh..........sigh.

I noticed beak sized chunks missing out of the Little Gem's.  I've had two pickings so far and v yummy too.  Obviously the birds like to wait for the lettuce to mature!  I've run out of netting (another Poundland run) so I constructed an elaborate string, carrier bag and foil structure over them - fingers crossed.

This is my first A4A fix since Friday......I've missed you all, so much :'(
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: MrsKP on May 16, 2006, 20:10:35
i've got everything covered either with teensy tiny hole mosqito netting or big green hole netting unless the darstardly devils take a walk inside the greenhouse while i'm out which isn't beyond the realms of possibility (not really thought about that one yet).

and on the top of my runner bean trellis i've got red, white and orange string fruit bags (the kind you get oranges in) flapping wildly held on by metal rings (not had a pigeon sit on there since putting them up).

have seen one flying rat have a bounce on the as yet empty brassica bed net, just hope they don't rip it with their talons.

found a couple of teensy tiny (dead) slugs today, so i'm hoping the birdies wait until i put their dinner out for them.   ::)
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: jennym on May 16, 2006, 20:31:25
The birds go for the peas here, I have made little wire mesh cages to give them a chance to get started. Intend do do some larger ones from the same mesh for the brassicas.
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: Biscombe on May 16, 2006, 23:15:53
Great pic! looks great!!
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: theothermarg on May 17, 2006, 21:31:16
??? I am very puzzled  why do slugs and birds love cabbage and leave the lettuce growing Merrily away in the open totally unprotected (don't get me wrong I'm not complaining) just very puzzled
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: pakaba on May 17, 2006, 21:47:05
So, do you think if i plant a row of cabbage (urghyuck :P) the beasts will gorge on that and  leave the rest alone.....    oh if only it was that simple... they'd eat everthing else and i'd have a perrrrrrfrect crop of  yucky cabbage  >:(

;D ;D

Paula
Title: Re: Cabbage munchers
Post by: dandelion on May 17, 2006, 21:57:41
Supersprout, if you need cavalo nero seeds, I have loads left. I sowed mine today, from seeds of Italy. Very generous packet :).