Monday, January 18, 2010

Brassicas

Although I consider myself quite successful at growing vegetables, some I must admit are a bit of a disaster, particularly the Brassicas.

I am quite renowned locally for my wonderful spinach (Perpetual spinach from Suttons Seeds) and I still get a reasonable picking a couple of times a week even at this time of year.

Three other brassicas I attempted to grow this year and the cabbages, cauliflowers and brussel sprouts were somewhat disappointing to say the least. As quickly as I could plant out the cabbages and cauliflowers, the slugs were tucking in as though this was the last supper. This battle went on for several weeks but in the end I admitted defeat.

Now it was a totally different story with the brussel sprouts. They grew and grew until they were about five foot tall, albeit a bit holy after sharing them with the white butterflies, but I could live with that.

However, each time I brushed past them, a huge cloud of white fly emerged, almost like a snow storm. The sprouts were forming beautifully but somehow I couldn't face picking and cooking them. How could I possibly be sure that every single one of the little critters had come out in the wash and the thought of eating a stray one was not particularly appealing. Therefore they had to go and I consoled myself with the thought that they would make wonderful compost for the next season.

I do not give up easily and I am busy leafing my way through many seed catalogues to select next year's produce. This time I will be well and truly armed with slug pellets and insecticides and if that makes me cruel to some of God's creatures, then so be it.

1 comment:

  1. Hi Just read your article and thought you would like to know of a brilliant Garden protector....I like you and most gardeners suffer from slugs and snails in this damp weather and in fact now that the climate has changed we have the slug and snail problem all year round, I have tried beer traps, copper tape, and wire salt, egg shells, even throwing them in my neighbours garden etc,etc all these methods are not practical long lasting and are harmful to our wildlife. recently a lady gardener recommended a new device to control slugs and snails called the slugbell she has used it and found it to be absolutely brilliant at controlling them I have just ordered 6 of them to place around my flowers and vegetable garden ,here is there web page……. www.slugbell.com......... they use both Organic or Normal Metaldehyde bug pellets and that the small amount of pellets needed will last up to three months.!!! as they don’t dissolve in the soil and are pet i.e. Cat , Dog and wildlife Safe Brilliant for pet owners , I will try anything to keep my garden looking how it should whilst protecting natures cycle.

    thank you Michael

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