The Cottage Smallholder

I've already planted them now in my raised beds. I'll just have to make sure that they'll be properly staked coz i'll never know what the winds might be later in the season. fingers crossed, just hope they won't be eaten by any pests!

yes, mine slowly went like that when I put the first batch out in Aug. Then, the pesky Cabbage Whites got the 2nd batch that I planted at my friend's patch (his garden's much bigger than mine, so was less inspicuous with have a unsightly white fleecing over the top of them). But within a week or so, he told me something's ate them, and there's nothing left.

I just wanted if anyone had any exp. of not getting any pests on their brassicas if they weren't covered. Y'see, last yr's single Sprouting Brocolli plant survived from Mar - Nov. Of course, I squished the horrid yellow eggs daily (thrice sometimes!), and it wasn't covered. I just thought with the weather cooler now, I wonder if the Cabbage Whites (or other culprits) would be out still to feed? I don't want to go thru' another heartache of seeing them obliterated again!

Thought I'll revive this thread to let you know that the Kale has survived and has put on a bit more growth in the last couple of weeks, tho' the overall growth since planting and now, seems v. minimalistic. Should they have thrived a lot more by now, as I know that it's meant to be cropped over Winter? It has about 10 leaves on and only 6" high at the most. The Sprouting Brocolli hasn't grown much either, but they're still in my raised bed. Both types haven't really been badly affected by pigeons or other pests that I was anticipating.