Surviving the white cabbage moth

I've been watcing the Brassica seedlings we put in about 2 weeks ago and have been meticulously removing the white cabbage moth eggs from the leaves.

Some companion planting guides suggest Dill is a good companion which attracts a wasp that feeds off the moth eggs. Zinias also attract ladybirds that can keep the eggs down too.

Green Harvest suggests some organic remedies too, but handpicking is most effective I reckon!

Experimenting with coexistence

Have set some seeds for winter crops as per earlier post and now looking at various ways to ensure seedlings survive with the chooks foraging around.

This row of leeks is covered with some chicken wire. We'll see of it's too open for the chooks.

We also have some leftover guttering mesh which, whilst not too tall, could be effective as well. This would be good for individual seedlings like the broccoli.

Also about to put in some beans and broad beans against the fence. This should replenish the soil after our summer crop of corn.




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Getting ready for Autumn vegetables

veg_autumn2010
Originally uploaded by margoc

Sowed some winter veg seeds today, making th emost of the last bit of warmth before Autumn really hits us! :o)

Elefant leeks and Di Cicco broccoli (from Yarralumla Nursery), lettuce and Chinese celery (hope it comes up - the seed is a bit old now), and spring onion.

Loving this rain too!

In safe(r) hands

No this is what it's about!

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In safe hands

This is what it's all about!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone