Allotments 4 All

I have lost one of my savoys to cabbage aphids. I have tried squashing them, moving ladybirds onto them, and derris (not at the same time!!!)
Any ideas? Other plants have the same problem but as yet not so badly...

Are you anywhere near trees or hedges? If you can use a feeder to attract tits in, they'll do a lot to clean aphids up once they find them.

But they are also netted to stop the cabbage white butterflies...... which stops the birds too.

I know I've said it before but - netted? Like fruit netting?

Don't know what others (or you!) find, but my butterflies will squeeze flatways between 2 layers of 'mesh'. They don't need holes!!

Very fine netting Tim - about 0.5cm x 0.5 cm mesh - and I haven't seen a caterpillar (yet). In the "wild" patch of the garden some of my spare summer cabbage seedlings which ended up there are already hosting many hungry families - so whilst it may not stop the most determined butterfly - I think the ones around here must be lazy and go for the easy option....

it isn't the butterflies that are bothering me though!!!!
Horrid grey aphids... munching my savoys! Perhaps I planted them too early?

i have some on my brussel sprouts. i am using the B&Q insecticide that is approved by the HDRA. dunno if it works yet - first application yesterday. at least so far only one plant seems affected at all...

Hi Westsussexlottie,
                                 I use a Garlic clove in a one pint spray bottle to deter most pests on my allotment, but in the case of Brassica a few drops of washing up liquid will help the solution to ahdere to the leaves.

Hope this may be of some help. :)

                                                            PREMTAL

Water with a drop of washing up liquid will kill aphids, or you could use rhubarb tea.