How to Protect Brassica Without Using Chemicals | Organic Pest Control

How to Protect Brassica Without Using Chemicals, Organic Pest Control. Are your cabbages and kale full of holes? A look at how to protect your plants from Cabbage White Butterfly and Cabbage Moth with this easy way. Pre-order my first book, Grounded at bytherfarm.com/books/
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Jane Kelly (Jane's Allotment) / @janesgrowinggarden
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About Us.
Byther Farm is a small organic homestead, designed and managed using permaculture practices. We aim for self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetables for increased self reliance and better resilience to the modern world. I recognise that we are unlikely to be truly self sufficient, but do the best we can. I share our home with my loving partner, Mr J and our cat, Monty.
We are a fifty-something couple who live on a smallholding in Monmouthshire, Wales. We are going green and creating a gentler, cleaner and more healthy life for our family.
There is a large organic kitchen garden with no dig gardening raised beds and young food forest in which to grown our fruit and vegetables.
We keep chickens and Aylesbury ducks.
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[@LizZorab]

I hope you enjoyed this look at brassica tunnels, you can find more about growing brassica in this playlistkzbin.info/aero/PLa6906pLM92nW3JFxT15jZ_YmhZCRkQda and you can pre-order my book, Grounded at www.bytherfarm.com/books

[@GardeningforBeginners]

Really enjoyed being part of this video. Thank you for letting me share my allotment Cheers Ray ✅ 🥕🌼

[@LizZorab]

Thank you so much for helping out with this video Ray. Hopefully viewers will find it really helpful.

[@claireisacamel]

That savoy cabbage is GORGEOUS!

[@LizZorab]

Thanks Claire, I'm pleased with the cabbages this year, I think that they have liked the cooler weather we've had.

[@midsouthhomestead9180]

Hello from Collierville Tn, USA. I have been using wedding veil TULLE fabric from Amazon. I cut squares. Wrap around my tomatoes and close up with a clothes pin. It literally saved my garden this year. Thanks so much for sharing this tip! Rhonda

[@glynisreynolds446]

If you bury water bottles in the soil then you can fit the pipe ends into them to keep them into position. I’ve started putting a hole in the bottle bottom to allow the water to drain away. This method means that your frame is more secure than with rotting bamboo.

[@LizZorab]

This is a top tip Glynis, for those who can dig a hole in their soil, it's ideal!

[@midsouthhomestead9180]

Thanks for the tip. It's a keeper.

[@crpth1]

Glynis Reynolds - That's an awesome idea 💡 Now building upon that idea... Some really tiny holes on the bottom and a slow watering method for the plants just came into play! Soil and plants tend to react quite well to slowly percolated water. At least better than a rush of water from a pressurized hose! ;-)

[@sharonkeef0522]

@@crpth1 hi I’m not sure how they use the bamboo if they coat it with for example beeswax and lenseed oil every yr or what but I’ve seen a lot of people build house outta bamboo so something is keeping them from rotting anyway instead of plastic bottles that may leach in soil I’d dig a small trench lay some food safe plastic that u can lay a bord at a slant over and also a rope for wicking water from trench to plant the rope next to each plant or underneath each as ur planting you can lift bord to Add more water if your in dry place . Plus if it’s underground and covered up mold want be there if you can add a Solar powered pump in it even better that way water is constantly moving I can explain more if you would like for me too . And then use ur tool stapled down with the fence staples

[@alexorango5133]

I truly Love the idea of netting..Provided we don't use treated nets like mosquito nets, that might kill helpful garden insects. It's nice👍🏼

[@wineberryfarm6445]

Wonderful video I pre-ordered your book so excited can’t wait to get it and I ordered a new T-shirt I can’t tell you how many years I have planted cabbage only to be disappointed with them being full of holes and worms. But after following your advice about the garden netting I had the best harvest of cabbage I ever could’ve ever wanted. Nothing taste better than fresh from the garden thank you Liz👍

[@LizZorab]

I'm so pleased to read that you've got good cabbage this year Drema - hooray! Thanks for ordering the book, I hope you'll enjoy it. I can hardly wait to reveal the cover 😃

[@carolinegray3150]

Nice listening and watching too

[@lorelynleisure4048]

What a beautiful cabbage! I had thought to give up gardening a couple of years ago for several reasons but then found you and several other gardeners on Y-Tube. You all helped rekindle my love for it and I knew I needed to get back into the garden. Things have been going slower than I had hoped as I'm not as young as I'd like to think I am and it has been so hot and humid this summer, but I have been plugging away. So far this year I have mowed down the extensive weeds that covered my garden, covered it with cardboard, brought in new composted soil (which I am finding may not have been the quality I had thought but I can make it better over time) and I started a composting area. I have also built 3 new raised beds and started some vegetables for fall. I just picked my first 2 summer squash yesterday. Certainly I will not have a huge harvest this year but I will be ready for the spring and I am so excited!! You give me many wonderful ideas and make me think of the things I already have and how I can reuse them! Thank you so much! I just love seeing your garden and learning from your experience. You are such a blessing to me. God's blessings to you always, especially as we go into the darker months of the year. I also have Seasonal Affective Disorder and have already started waking each morning with that oppressive feeling, rain all last week here in Wisconsin didn't help! I started spending a little time with God in a daily devotional each morning with my coffee and He has helped lift my spirits and I have begun to be more productive again. I look forward to each of your videos. Thanks again!

[@claireisacamel]

Loved seeing your feature folks and their ways to tackle this problem!

[@LizZorab]

I really enjoy working with other content creators on videos, we might not be able to work together in person, but it's still fun to share their videos. 😊

[@festfreak]

Thank you very much for the poly pipe recommendation, I have been scratching my head on this for a while and now I have found the answer! Thanks again! :)

[@maryb-h980]

Thanks Liz, loved video - I'd just reached the point where I had more lace curtains growing in my beds than brassicas and built a hoop house for use as mini greenhouse over winter and as you've done when butterflies are about! Bless you for your sound advice mxxx

[@vikki8089]

We grow our own willow for firewood and have found the willow that we cut down is perfect for making frames, they bend just as well as the blue water pipes but no plastic and free to us :) I also use the scaffolding netting but have found aphids can still get in and have had some (but not many) on my broccoli.

[@cathywalmsley1031]

Out here in New Zealand you are inspiring me to create a real garden like yours...bought house with 1/2 acre paddock...some5ing about your no nonsense approach..love it...trying to recreate my dad’s old garden from back in West Yorkshire....you’re heading into autumn and I’m waiting for the cold Antarctic winds to subside and hiding in my wonky greenhouse...

[@danaywang]

Can you water over the veil? I have individual grow bags and pots, it will be very painful if I have to open them up individually to water them.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

I just spray with Grazers G3. It feeds the leaves as well as deters the butterfly/caterpillar. No holes to speak of! No plastic mesh.

[@legofan4661]

Thank you to you and Ray for the brilliant idea of making frames with pallets. A fraction of the cost!

[@junkspot8124]

Congratulations on the book! I look forward to reading it. And thank you for another informative video.

[@LizZorab]

Thank you!

[@godslove70]

Just started 20 dozen brassicas for the first time. The information In this video sounds great and I will be using tulle as my cove, that's what i have, it should work. Love all the info you put into your video, thank you

[@lindapenney5207]

Awesome update thank you for sharing Liz

[@micksbackyardaquaponics1408]

That was amazing video clip you put together off how to cover your veggies garden there from butterfly’s an it was great to see it there. 👍👍

[@LizZorab]

Aw thanks Mick!

[@MrMadfarmer]

I loved all the information on how to use the netting and every thing all you People was so true I think Liz.. I look forward to seeing your videos from Canada.. We just had a killing frost last night and I will go out later to check.

[@LizZorab]

Thanks Randy!

[@Starlight22215]

I made a huge tunnel to cover the fruit using old steel poles, from a gazebo I found in a shed from the previous owner. They were wide enough I then put the plastic tubing inside the poles for arches and put scaffolding netting over the top. It also had the advantage that I could remove after the fruit was picked. I don't want to have a garden full of structures all year.

[@honeybunchhoneybunch9954]

Very useful video - many thanks

[@myrustygarden]

Lol Jane you did the same thing Tony C Smith did he trapped the whites in so they were safe from the birds 🐦. Great video Liz I am going to check Rays videos too thanks for the suggestion (I already watch Jane) 🇨🇦🥬🙏🌶🌻☮️🍆

[@SheWhoWoodworks]

I saw in a video somewhere they used tu tu fabric from the craft store for netting 😆 I may actually give it a try to cover my brassicas for the fall growing season.

[@deanhawthorn5783]

the stick across....the ridge is essential in strong winds and rain you wont regret putting that ridge in place

[@prubroughton2327]

another support for your hoops can be made from reinforcing rod off-cuts. Builders or reinforcing suppliers often have them free to very cheap. I also bought some very cheap stainless steel clothes clips and they are excellent for clipping mesh and can be used again and again.

[@teresadaniels7207]

Hi Liz love your channel. I have drilled a hole on the inside edge of the two end pipes . Then I just slot the cane into them and under the centre one. It keeps the tunnel steady and prevents the canes tearing through the netting

[@LizZorab]

That's a great idea!

[@Nexus-ub4hs]

I had used Tulle netting for the kales but they ended up covered in greenfly. Took it off but will replace with scaffolding netting and hope for the best

[@helpinggoodgrow]

Pre-ordered. 👍🏻 Great video!

[@LizZorab]

Thank you so much!

[@isabenakilonzo3812]

Thanks for the information but more is needed for some of us we have our plants in the balcony

[@delphinium5555]

Thank you. I need to try and find some of this mesh or netting. I'm not sure about the scaffolding netting as don't have a working sewing machine to stitch up the holes.

[@phuoccuocsongduc]

Great ideas

[@JensGardenAdventures]

Mine wasn't quite high enough this year. It needs lifting so the sprouts can grow! 😁 Yet my plot neighbours brassicas haven't been touched at all and he's not covered them or put anything down what so ever. Wish I knew his secret. Jen x

[@jensissons5709]

Ask him!!

[@claireisacamel]

Just a bit longer still before the weather is so cool that we don’t have any caterpillars 🤦‍♀️ just have to keep my brassicas in decent shape till then!

[@pathfinder9013]

I hope my Brussels sprouts survive until then lol

[@claireisacamel]

path finder keeping my fingers crossed for them!! I’ve only just set out my cabbage seedlings - I have them sprayed with Dr. Zyme’s in hopes to deter the munchers!

[@prubroughton2327]

We used to be chased into the growing tunnels by white butteries they seemed to be imprinted as to where the seedling were.

[@redcurrant2023]

Those small yellow butterflies are the bane of my existence. I see them from my windows and go outside to drive them away only to find one or two gaily fluttering inside

[@mikemorton954]

For my tunnels I mostly use metal pipes instead of bamboo. Copper pipe would last year's. Good video!

[@mikemorton954]

Always watch a video all the way through before commenting!!! 🤣

[@LizZorab]

Hi Mike, I tried using the metal poles from a cheap screw-together archway that was here when we moved in, but they rusted so quickly! Copper pipe is a great idea, I think copper is supposed to be unattractive to slugs too, so double bonus.

[@taffpatch1]

4mm fencing wire , cheap and more discreet.Just cut to size and push into soil xx good job though xx

[@simplifygardening]

Great video and collaboration. Its great to stop them. Jane needs to remove the cabbage white from her netted area lol

[@LizZorab]

Thanks Tony, yes Jane has a butterfly catching job on her hands!

[@simplifygardening]

@@LizZorab T least she knew it was there

[@Bellator-dk1bg]

I m just thinking about my method, or more, why I don't have any beatles or flea. Is it maybe due to all the tomato plants around them...?

[@markhedger6378]

Just looked up some scientific research, and interplanting with both french and pot marigolds is the most effective way to reduce cabbage white and other cruciferous pests,the plants do grow stronger without cover,benifit ing greatly from full spectrum of sunlight

[@karlblume9419]

I bought cabbage starts and put them immediately under fine mesh. The plants had already been 'seeded' with both cabbage white butterfly and looper moth eggs. I fought them all season, with sad results. Next season, I'll start them indoors from seed.

[@lindsaynorman9323]

i see what you mean about the netting having eyelettes. it wouldnt be to hard to sew up great idea. one QUESTION: how does the netting hold up to bumps and pokes? some garden cloths rip or tear so easy it makes me hate using it.

[@shirleyporter9025]

I bought the same mesh as Liz....its very robust, does not tear, it will last for years and years......and it does not snaggle birds feet as other mesh's do. My brassicas are without a single nibble!!!

[@yellowlabrador]

I find that the butterflies love nasturtiums. Between the rain, wind and general dampness, I'm giving up for this year. I don't think I've ever seen slugs and snails like this year. I've got 2 crazy cat women as neighbours and between them they've got 25 cats, so I can't feed the birds, so there goes my bio weapon. So Bon Appetit to the slugs, snails and caterpillars.

[@BalticHomesteaders]

Hi Liz, do you find that the scaffolding net is less expensive than actual butterfly net? I will have to look into how I can source it here, netting is something I've been looking into here. Thank you.

[@LizZorab]

It's a lot cheaper! But it does have the disadvantage of the eyelet holes in it, but if you can sew in a straight-ish line, then it's easy to sew up the holes.

[@debmichelleparks3]

Ordered 📚 😊

[@LizZorab]

Thank you so much!

[@debmichelleparks3]

Liz Zorab - Byther Farm, you’re welcome!

[@Bessie66]

Daft question but have made these tunnels today - what about pollination of the brassicas without encouraging butterflies? Great video btw

[@LizZorab]

Most brasssicas are eaten before they go to flower, so no pollination is required.

[@Mikemanify]

Please, how do I get rid of maggots in the soil? My vegetables are drooping. Thank you.

[@camillacousins2447]

Does this stops slugs too?

[@zepguwlthistle7924]

What kind of sprouts did he have that got 4ft tall?

[@daniellebradley2728]

I love this so much because I have used tulle before but since it is not uv treated it is so brittle by the end of the season it is destined for the dump. The debris netting is designed to be outside so I’m sure it lasts much longer. How long would you think it lasts?

[@LizZorab]

Hi Danielle, I've been using the same lengths of netting for four years, there's no sign of it breaking down, so I anticipate that I'll get 8-10 years from each length. Then it can go into the recycling bin and be made into something else. The only time that I've had a problem with it is when I've draped it over pallets that have nails sticking out of them and it's got caught on the nails, but it's hardly surprising that it got damaged in that situation. Anywhere that it rubs against a sharp surface it's likely to become weaker. 😃

[@daniellebradley2728]

Thanks so much for the reply. I bet there are many construction sites that would give this away for free at the end of a project for the gardener who doesn’t like to spend a lot. But, considering it would last a decade or more either a time (asking around at construction sites) or money investment seems worth it! In addition to not having to replace it very often, think of the time measuring and cutting each year that you save and time ordering. All around a great idea!

[@guylamullins3602]

Do you get no see ums, fleas and chiggars there? They’ve been horrible here this year and it’s hard to work outside without being itchy later.

[@LizZorab]

Luckily no we don't!

[@jillgilson3900]

How long are the supporting pipes for your frame. I was also wondering if you could use those pipe instead of the pipe from the boilers yard

[@LizZorab]

Hi Jill, the pipes are around 6 feet long (just under 2 metres). Garden hose pipe is a bit flimsy to stand up to the winds on our site, but in a more sheltered spot a reinforced hose pipe might work.

[@stevendowden2579]

nice video birds are my problem

[@LizZorab]

Hopefully netting will help keep the birds off the brassica too!

[@sharkeysharkey24]

I have lots of brassica tunnels like yourself, but do you have any problems with whitefly in them. If so what do you do to deal with them organically?

[@LizZorab]

I just shake them off as I'm harvesting. 😃

[@lynnrushton7458]

PLEASE do a slug one Liz 🙏🙏🙏🙏 I’m tearing my hair out here 😩 Tried eggshells, wool pellets, even chicken grit! Just applied Nematodes on Monday.......scared to plant out the rest of my greens 😢🌱🌱🌱

[@fainitesbarley2245]

Try a wildlife pond full of frogs.

[@lynnrushton7458]

Fainites Barley there’s frogs in my poly tunnel, but still got loads of slugs 😩 planning on making a pond for next year 👍

[@fainitesbarley2245]

Lynn Rushton Oh well. That’s that bright idea stuffed. Pond looks nice though.

[@lynnrushton7458]

Fainites Barley 😂😂🐸👍

[@LizZorab]

Will do!! I hope to film it very soon. As there have been several requests recently I had better get on with it! LOL

[@Thisisit120]

Liz do you put the cover on when you first plant your brassicas or do you wait for latter?

[@LizZorab]

I put them on immediately or better still, sow the seeds under the cover of netting so that the butterflies never get a chance to lay their eggs on the young plants.

[@Thisisit120]

@@LizZorab Thank you so much Liz for the information.

[@carolparrish194]

I wouldn't have a garden if it wasn't for netting After years of fighting with bugs and baby rabbits I finally decided to cover all new plants and kale with netting. This is the first year that I really had such a successful garden. Only now I have discovered aphids in my kale tunnel which I am treating with Neem oil. I am a little disappointed finding aphids but I hope the treatment will take care of the problem.

[@mrmick4757]

Spray Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) diluted 25ml to 1 litre of water under and on leaves kills aphids/spider mites as do Lady Birds! Hydrogen Peroxide is H2 O2! Can also aid root growth when added to your growing medium as it has extra oxygen molecule!

[@LizZorab]

The idea of this video was to be able to protect cabbages without using sprays. I worry that anything that can kill aphids will also kill the beneficial insects - and even aphids have their place in the ecosystem 😃

[@carolparrish194]

@@mrmick4757 Thanks for the info. I will give it a try.

[@carolparrish194]

I very seldom use an insecticide in my garden but my kale was completely covered with aphids to the point of killing the plants and I was afraid it would spread to other plants in the garden. Neem oil is natural and I only sprayed it once.@@LizZorab

[@steveday4797]

I've seen some great covers made out of repurposed hoola hoops

[@lorraineowen7978]

Hi Liz, what size net did you get? Many thanks. 😀

[@LizZorab]

3 metres wide and a huge roll of it so I could cut it the lengths I needed. I've also got some 2 metres wide but it's not so good for the taller low tunnels.

[@lorraineowen7978]

@@LizZorab brilliant thanks Lz.. 😀

[@jpennturner]

Hi I have made a walk in brassica cage with a gazebo frame and scaffold net, it is easier for me to weed and hoe. It keeps pigeons off too.

[@LizZorab]

Brilliant idea Penny!

[@shirleyporter9025]

I have used this scaffold as you have and to be honest none of the butterflies have worked out that they can get in the small holes.

[@Pete.Ty1]

😊👍

[@aenorist2431]

Now if there was a netting that was made from renewable ressources and would not grow brittle and fragment under UV radiation, that'd be great. Those fragments are small enough to permeate the entire garden ecosystem, including permanently embedding themselves in your vegetables and lungs, pretty much forever.

[@pathfinder9013]

Is there any practical solutions against slug damage?

[@belindaroadley]

Beer/yeast traps work a treat. 😊 You can even buy some that have a little roof so rain or irrigation don't wash it out 😊

[@pathfinder9013]

Thank you very much. I'm gonna need a lot of them lol. Hopefully the damage will be less after.

[@LizZorab]

We use the ducks as slug control, I haven't found anything that is as efficient as them.

[@pathfinder9013]

Thank you very much. We're planning to get ducklings by the end of this month. Finishing the pond and their run is in progress. But I've seen in your videos that you don't let them free around the whole garden.

[@belindaroadley]

@@pathfinder9013 you can make your own of you have left over take-away containers, cut holes in the side to let the little boogers in, leave the lid on. 😊

[@caroll7894]

What do the moths do to cabbages ?

[@izzywizzy2361]

they lay eggs on them and the caterpillars eat the leaves.

[@LizZorab]

What Izzy Wizzy said! 😃

[@asifzubair1567]

A quick question. How can I get rid off sting nettles bushes? I uprooted all of them and took the roots out except those which went very deep and I couldn't pull out. Stings nettles grow again after few days. Any help in this regard would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@LizZorab]

Keep on cutting them back and pulling up roots, they give up after a while.

[@1ANRS]

I wouldn't get rid of stinging nettles at all, they are so useful. They attract predator insects and you can pick the leaves, keep them in water for 6 weeks and then you've got a dissolvable natural nitrogen plant fertiliser!

[@kagrin81]

The toad! Lil toady in his corner :) How did you repurpose the rest of the trampolines!?

[@LizZorab]

I love our little toad, it pops out to say hello every time I'm in that part of the garden. The whole trampoline was used as a covered poultry run, then the curved parts and fabrics were recycled and the legs and netting supports have been used in the garden.

[@kagrin81]

@@LizZorab Eggcellent sounds fab

[@thelittlelearningfarm622]

What would this be called in America?

[@LizZorab]

Hi, not sure what you'd like the name of, please could you clarify?

[@thelittlelearningfarm622]

Liz Zorab - Byther Farm sorry, the netting. What would that kind of netting be called in America?

[@janpek3093]

Plant hemps used before was ptohibited bugs dont like that smell