Forum home› Problem solving

Broccoli eaten by pest

TheConstantGardenerBeeTheConstantGardenerBee Posts: 19
in Problem solving

hi everyone,

i came back from a weekend away to discover something (I'm suspecting a rabbit) has eaten my newly planted out broccoli.

I've actually got some new seedlings growing (lucky really, as I thought these plants were diseased) but I have now covered them in plastic cloches (it was all I had) to see if they'll bounce back.

What is the best way to protect broccoli in a ground level bed?  

My courgette are out as well, wilol anything eat that? 

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    If the whole plant and stem is gone, then rabbits are favourite.  If just the leaves have gone, likely woodpigeons.  Butterfly netting will protect against pigeons and the dreaded cabbage white butterfly caterpillars as long as you keep the netting a few inches away from the plants.  Rabbits will probably chew through plastic netting though.  For courgettes, molluscs are the main enemy.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • TheConstantGardenerBeeTheConstantGardenerBee Posts: 19

    Thanks bob.  Any recommendations on frames and netting suppliers.  I'm not having much luck. 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    I get my butterfly netting from here:

    http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/

    They also do cloche hoops etc at reasonable prices although you can make your own using blue flexible MDPE water pipe which is about 20 quid for 25 metres.  Google 'blue water pipe allotment' for lots of info on that.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • TheConstantGardenerBeeTheConstantGardenerBee Posts: 19

    Thanks Bob.  

Sign In or Register to comment.