How do you protect your cabbages & other caterpillar/pigeon vulnerable crops?

Afternoon all,

I was just wondering how everyone protects their cabbages as mine keep getting munched by caterpillars and pigeons!

Many thanks,

Samuel

 

I use two methods, the first below is the old way but I still use them.

http://steve-randles.co.uk/PlotBlog/?p=707

The second, the "Brassica House" I'm using again this year.

http://steve-randles.co.uk/PlotBlog/?p=771

Steve...

 

Looks impressive!

Will have to see what wood I can get my hands on to build something similar.

 

If you know someone getting rid of any rabbit hutches or bird cages they work really well too. These my neighbour gave to me.

 

I use netting, or old fishing nets (sometimes the local fisher men bring up a net that is past it's best) or old VHS tapes strung out on canes so they hum,

 

I think that would freak me out as well as the pigeons.
I use bits of strategically placed chicken wire or hoops covered with mesh. This doesn't work very well, ideally I'd like to make special cages as above.

 

I passed a skip yesterday and noticed next to it a pile of 4-sided crates ... I think these were used to transport roof tiles.

I was going to take them, then cover the base and sides with chicken mesh ... but my wife reckons I have enough junk for now. I already have rigged up netting around my brassica bed, which will be OK for this year.

Next year though ... I'll be on the lookout for more crates

 

Skips bare treasures for us all.