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Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 16 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I have given up on any calabrese unless netted. I managed to grow some very respectable kale this year, purely because it has been netted.... otherwise the bloody caterpillars would have decimated them. Thinking of getting a second netting cage and trying purple sprouting.

tim_and_nicky



Joined: 28 Nov 2008
Posts: 261
Location: Beautiful Galicia, NW Spain
PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 16 3:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I just put in an order of nice things from Real seeds, 2 different winter squashes (did you see the Queensland Blue?) but some of the interesting things are sold out already. Roll on new growing year.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45321
Location: yes
PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 16 4:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

kale stuffed caterpillars are foul,the horseradish ones are a delicacy.

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 16 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I netted mine, and they still got eaten. They did stage a recovery, mind.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45321
Location: yes
PostPosted: Sat Nov 26, 16 1:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

kale , horseradish or caterpillars ?

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15510

PostPosted: Sat Nov 26, 16 8:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I have my kale and purple sprouters netted, but I think the main reason there was no caterpillar damage was a lack of butterflies. I will leave the net on to stop the pigeons eating the greens. They had all the purple sprouters last year.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Sat Nov 26, 16 9:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Plenty of the bastards here. I planted a couple of the extra kale plants I had out i the garden and the poor things didn't stand a chance!

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Sat Nov 26, 16 9:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I got the following Winter squash/pumpkins from Real Seeds:

Zucca Piacentina Winter Squash
Musquee De Provence Winter Squash
Burgess Buttercup Winter Squash (Vine Type) (grow this every year -a always does well)
Queensland Blue Winter Squash

From Nicky's Nursery, I got:

Sweet Dumpling
Rolet Gem

I grow both the Sweet Dumpling & the gem every year - both do well.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Sat Nov 26, 16 9:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

wellington womble wrote:
I netted mine, and they still got eaten. They did stage a recovery, mind.


The net needs to be really fine and not resting on any part of the plants. The bastards can lay their eggs through the nets!!! Learned from experience!

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Sat Nov 26, 16 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It's that enviromesh stuff, so it ought to be fine enough. I don't think it was resting on the plants, because I put it on hoops of heating pipe and they were only teeny plants. They did recover. I can't remember what they were now. Spring greens, think. Wish I'd managed to get some kale in.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Sat Nov 26, 16 1:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Not to boast but my kale looks amazing!!!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15510

PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 16 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I put my net on cloche hoops, and that works while the plants are quite small. As they get bigger it is more of a problem, but I didn't have to worry this year. I now just want to deter the pigeons, so hope the net will do the trick. My kale has grown quite well, but seems to have slowed down now in the cooler weather.

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 16 11:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I grow Calvo Nero, and it's usually bomb proof either without netting. I don't think it grew at all this year, though, even inside. Being planted out in July probably didn't help the cabbage. May is such a manically busy time here, that hardly anything gets done in the garden. I keep vowing to be more organised over the winter so I've got beds ready to plant into, instead of having to prepare them on the run. One day I shall have a marvellous polytunnel and get it all done on sunny frosty days in January and February.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 16 12:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I keep on telling myself that being organised is over-rated!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15510

PostPosted: Mon Nov 28, 16 7:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

So do I, but I never believe myself.

I found the straight kale was no better through the winter than the curly kale, so we are back to curly this year and it will probably die back later this week as we are promised heavy frost. It shoots again in the spring though, but only lasts a little while as it goes to flower.

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