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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: janmac on July 29, 2010, 14:09:50

Title: Cabbage cages?
Post by: janmac on July 29, 2010, 14:09:50
Hi its me again once again a cabbage question.

How tall should I make my cabbage cage?  help please,  thanks  janmac
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Tee Gee on July 29, 2010, 15:01:40
QuoteHow tall should I make my cabbage cage?

Well firstly I suggest you also think of such things as Sprouts,Broccoli and Kale when you make them.

For example you might get away with 15" high for cabbages but you might need twice that height for the others mentioned!

I have some mild steel hoop iron for mine and they are bent to suit all situations.

If I I am covering crops such as cabbages I just sink the legs a bit deepr than I would for say sprouts!

Like this;

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/Allotment/JapOnions.jpg)
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Amazingrotavator(Derby) on July 29, 2010, 16:39:00
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx161/amazingrotavator/Photo-0081.jpg)


Tall enough for you to work in in comfort. I made it to suit the Mrs.Ha Ha.
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: manicscousers on July 29, 2010, 18:01:29
we have 2 different heights, about 3' for cabbage, romanesco, swede, 3'6 to 4' for the sprouts and large cabbages  ;D
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Amazingrotavator(Derby) on July 29, 2010, 18:05:53
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx161/amazingrotavator/Photo-0083.jpg)

Same here. Small ones for small cabbages.The big one is mainly for sprouts.
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: shirlton on July 29, 2010, 18:13:44
They are amazin ;D
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Digeroo on July 29, 2010, 19:33:02
All these cages are most impressive.  I think the bigger ones would be banned on our site.  No green houses, poly tunnels or sheds.  But last year my PSB was 5 feet plus tall.  It is not growing so big this year.  I like the walk in facility.
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: manicscousers on July 29, 2010, 20:00:10
last year's are at the back of this picture  :)
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: grannyjanny on July 29, 2010, 20:04:15
Our brassica cage is a little taller than me & is 9' x 8'. I have arthritis  at the top of my spine so bending is painful. The kale grew to about 5' & is still cropping. It's great being able to walk in.
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Arumlily on July 29, 2010, 20:06:46
How does one hold the plastic tubing down please. I like the idea of growing rhubard and courgette in a car tyre. How very clever .
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on July 30, 2010, 22:54:37
Quote from: Arumlily on July 29, 2010, 20:06:46
How does one hold the plastic tubing down please.

For the lower growing varieties,  a 3 foot bamboo cane half in the ground and half way up the pipe keeps them in place . For the taller ones, two or three 4 feet canes or any robust equivalent (it depends on the circumference of the pipe) in each end of the pipe keeps them up but add another long one to tie them in at the tops. I criss-cross mine for extra stability.

Ninny
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Jeannine on July 30, 2010, 22:57:31
I use Reebar, a metal reinforcing rod, you can make them as high as a greenhouse and the pipes won't move XX Jeannine
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: janmac on July 31, 2010, 12:46:48
Thanks once again for brill advice, your stars ******

janmac
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Sally A on July 31, 2010, 12:52:29
This is on my to do list pretty pronto.  Am planning using broken gazebo parts as the posts, and covering in netting kindly supplied from old trampoline enclosures.

Am a bit worried that the trampoline enclosure netting is black, hope it lets enough light in, but small holed netting did not work last year, so I need to go for a finer mesh.

Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: mpdjulie on July 31, 2010, 13:28:27
I use "lill" net curtaining from Ikea £3.99.  Nothing gets through as it is so fine.  One curtain makes a 8ft length x 4ft width x 3ft height brasica cage.  Each curtain measures 3m x 2.8m and there are 2 in a pack.  Http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10070262

Julie
:)
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Gillysdad on July 31, 2010, 16:54:28
Quote..
{All these cages are most impressive.  I think the bigger ones would be banned on our site.  No green houses, poly tunnels or sheds.  But last year my PSB was 5 feet plus tall.  It is not growing so big this year.  I like the walk in facility}.

Crumbs they are harsh restrictions for an allotment. No greenhouses, poly tunnels nor sheds. Doesn't give you much encouragement to grow from seed.  :(
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Arumlily on August 03, 2010, 20:09:30
Thank you, Ninnyscrops and Jeannine, for your kind response to my tubing query much appreciated .
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: Easywriter on August 04, 2010, 14:09:08
My Savoy cabbages, my former pride and joy, are slowly being eaten away by clouds and clouds of insects (some of which lay eggs, which hatch into caterpillars, which . . .). I don't even recognise some of the insects, I think I've discovered a new species. They're netted against pigeons, but the mesh doesn't stop these tiny six-legged buggers.

I was about to post a message asking what to do about this then I saw mpdjulie's reply to this thread - NET CURTAINS - brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? ???

Thanks again to mpdjulie ! ;)
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: grannyjanny on August 04, 2010, 14:25:54
Because you are a man ;)?
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: cornykev on August 04, 2010, 14:33:09
Sexist.      :P :P :P
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 04, 2010, 14:35:51
What sort of temperature build up under the curtain netting, please?
Our temps can reach 100 F.  Last year I put window screening over a Brussel Sprout and it "matured" too quickly, sprouts were very small, I think because of heat build up so am wondering if curtain netting would have same problem?
Without covering it this year the Sprouts were eaten alive to lace by Cabbage whites.
Title: Re: Cabbage cages?
Post by: grannyjanny on August 04, 2010, 14:38:02
Not sexist at all CK. I was asking a ? ;).