Brassica collars - Question for Lottie

[Chuckles]

Lottie what are these collars for brassicas, are they something you buy or make. I'm hoping to put some of my baby Cabbages in one of the raised beds in the next week and saw your tip in April in the GWD Garden thread. I do have a bit of weed membrane and could use that but was curious about using these collars for deterring cabbage root fly from laying eggs at the base of the plants.

[davidk]

Hi Chuckles!

Hope Lottie doesn't mind me answering this.

Although you can buy these ready made, it's quite easy to make your own.

I find old roofing felt or linoleum type floor-covering best, or you could even use old carpet, but this may prove a little difficult to cut with scissors.

You need to cut out a disc about as big as a CD, make a small hole in the centre to fit snuggly around the stem (not too big or the cabbage root fly will still be able to lay its eggs) then make a cut from the outer edge to the centre - this will allow you to fit it around the plant.

Hope that explains it clearly!

[Chuckles]

Thanks DK I'm sure Lottie won't mind. Would be interesting to know what she uses too though too.

I have some roofing felt although that's a bit tough to cut. I put some on the ground/soil at the side of my shed to put some pots on to over winter. The dog also uses it as a short cut through the garden and it stopped her getting muddy paws ;D

[davidk]

Hi again Chuckles!

I was thinking of the non-gritted type of roofing felt really, that's fairly easy to cut.
I suppose you could even use stiff/ish cardboard.

[lottielady]

Thanks David! These are the ones I have Chuckles!

Brassica Collars

But you can make your own as David has said, as long as they are made from something stiff-ish!

LLx

[davidk]

Thanks Lottie!

Chuckles - on reflection maybe CD size may be a little larger than necessary, about the size of most round beer mats is about right. In fact you could probably make them from beer mats - maybe deter the slugs at the same time!

[Chuckles]

Thanks you guys How about thick cardboard, I have some boxes in the shed ready for the bonfire that I could use.

[davidk]

That should work, Chuckles!

All that is need is a physical barrier to keep the cabbage root fly out, it does need to be substantial enough not to blow away though.

Perhaps you could use say a round coffee jar or similar as a template.

[Chuckles]

Brill, I'll get myself sorted with those ready for when I plant

[davidk]

Hi Chuckles!

Be sure that the hole isn't too large as the dreaded fly will still be able to lay her eggs.

Good luck!