The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: IainW on June 11, 2009, 08:27:31 am

Title: Somethings eating my cabbage
Post by: IainW on June 11, 2009, 08:27:31 am
Went up to veggy patch today to see that most of the leaves from my cabbages, brocolli and cauliflower have been eaten.
There are remnents of the eaten leaves on the floor.

Can't see any rabbit droppings.
Looks like over 30 vegs have been eaten overnight.

Any ideas?
If it is rabbits and hares how do I stop it?

Iain
Title: Re: Somethings eating my cabbage
Post by: MrRee on June 11, 2009, 09:56:13 am
Same thing happened to me last year. Carly bought me a gun,and between that and snares,I've decimated the local rabbit population and saved a fortune on dog feed!  The alternative is a lot more expensive and not as much fun. Rabbit proof fencing all the way around your veggie plot........... Ree
Title: Re: Somethings eating my cabbage
Post by: Wellieboots on June 11, 2009, 03:47:47 pm
Its fekkin pigeons! I'm just back after a few days away for work & my brassicas have also been knobbled, but there are pigeon feathers & poo everywhere. I was warned about this but had then in for a few weeks with nothing happening re pigeons so thought they'd be ok, ruddy baskits! There are fields of peas & rape all around me but no they have to have me brassicks don't they. So off into B'Gowrie t'row to get a long wanted decent air rifle & will be 'avin pigeon pie for the weekend!! >:( ;D
Title: Re: Somethings eating my cabbage
Post by: MrRee on June 11, 2009, 04:01:44 pm
Ah,for pigeons,soak bread in bicarb,let em gobble it all up then run screaming at them! Sit back and watch as they explode mid-flight,no gutting required!!  lol

Can highly recommend the SMK19 .22 air-rifle with silencer and sight if you go down that route........ Ree
Title: Re: Somethings eating my cabbage
Post by: Wellieboots on June 11, 2009, 04:05:09 pm
Now I like the sound of the bi-carb thing, might try that as well although could spoil them for the pot! Cheers for the heids up on air rifle, been meaning to get one for ages. Snares for the rabbits have meant rabbit pie in recent weeks but need to sort the pigeons as well!
Title: Re: Somethings eating my cabbage
Post by: JD on June 11, 2009, 07:51:33 pm
Horticultural fleece well pinned down is a good deterrent for pigeons and cabbage white butterfly.
JD
Title: Re: Somethings eating my cabbage
Post by: Rosemary on June 11, 2009, 08:51:24 pm
And hens.
Title: Re: Somethings eating my cabbage
Post by: northfifeduckling on June 12, 2009, 11:58:09 pm
cabbage whites would still be on it and you can pick them off. Ours have holes in them, so I think it's slugs here, but when I come out to collect in the mornings they are gone. Yours are probably nibbled by birds with the bits still there, could be partridges or pheasants. Cover with fine mesh, I was told Ikea net curtains spread over a tunnel made from half  hoolahoops are good value. :&>
Title: Re: Somethings eating my cabbage
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on June 13, 2009, 06:55:47 pm
Ah,for pigeons,soak bread in bicarb,let em gobble it all up then run screaming at them! Sit back and watch as they explode mid-flight,no gutting required!!  lol

Can highly recommend the SMK19 .22 air-rifle with silencer and sight if you go down that route........ Ree

Is MR REE misbehaving again lol