Ok, so the first job is to decide how big you want your brassica cage to be, I made mine brassica cage 3.5meters x 0.9 meters, but in hindsight, I wish I had made four smaller ones rather than two big ones; they are a little challenging to move about so smaller is better. All you need is a few equal lengths of old hosepipe measuring around 100-130cm (we’ve used an old drip hose) and a few short lengths of bamboo, approx 40-50cm long. Make sure the brassica net is propped up by hoops that are as high as the plants will get so that the net can stay there for the whole season. You can also prop the netting up with bamboo canes topped with jars. For broccoli, cavolo nero, red russian kale, and sprouts, 1.5m tall is about right. For cabbages, cauliflower, romanesco, turnips/swede and curly kale, 60-70cm would be fine. Choose mesh netting as pictured for best protection. Plant nasturtiums as a sacrificial crop nearby Although the 7mm mesh netting is small enough to keep out the cabbage white butterfly, it will also exclude a number of bees and other beneficial insects which help with pollination. For protecting vegetables that require pollination we would recommend removing the net during the flowering period or that you chose a larger mesh netting such as our 20mm x 20mm diamond mesh bird netting.

Butterfly netting is a must for both the serious gardener and the 'grown your own' novice alike, although butterflies are not all bad news - they feed on nectar and pollinate flowers – their caterpillars can do extraordinary damage to your brassica crops. This netting has a mesh size too compact for bees to fit through. As a result, if you are growing crops that need pollinating, remove this netting during flowering. What to do if you don’t have hosepipe? Don’t worry, you can make some nifty net supports instead – Find some old jam jars or beer bottles, upturn them and place over the top of 1.3m high bamboo canes. Push the canes into the soil at intervals along the sides and middle of the brassica patch, then you can drape the netting over the top and secure at the sides. The final job is to cover the brassica cage with the scaffolding netting. I selected the green netting as the blue can look a bit much on your plot. When you’re happy with the position, secure one long edge to the frame using the staples.When left in place for the whole of the growing cycle, the final outcome from using butterfly netting can be a much healthier and larger crop. Keep butterflies away from your brassicas and other vegetables, meaning you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Trim off excess netting using the scissors, leaving a 2-3″ skirt all around. Fold this under and secure it with staples to the base of the cages. Finally, fire in a few pins along the top support rail to prevent any movement of the netting. Butterfly netting provides protection for crops often eaten by caterpillars. The mesh size of butterfly netting is too small for butterflies to enter and lay their eggs on the crops. This in itself is not a problem, but when the caterpillars emerge they can devastate a crop.

The recommended mesh size for brassicas is typically 1/4 inch or 0.6 centimeters. This size is small enough to prevent common pests like cabbage worms and flea beetles from entering the cage while allowing proper airflow and sunlight penetration. Simply push two bamboo lengths halfway into the soil on either side of the row of plants you wish to cover (about 2 foot apart should be fine, but play around with distances to suit your plot). These will form the base of the hoop, holding it steady. Now thread the hose pipe onto the bamboo at each end, pushing it right down to the soil if you can, to make the hoop. Repeat this at 2-3 foot intervals as pictured. Once you’ve got your frames in place, you can cover them with a sheet of horticultural fleece or netting to protect plants from pests. Be sure to secure the cover to the ground – you can use heavy stones. If you are growing cabbages, kale, broccoli, cauliflower or other brassica plants, it is a really good idea to protect them before cabbage white butterflies start laying their eggs!The cabbage white larvae in particular can make the leaves of a healthy brassica crop look like a lace doily in no time. Using either a soft butterfly netting, which is easy to drape over frames, or our rigid plastic mesh butterfly netting will help your say goodbye to skeletal leaves. A Brassica cage should ideally be at least 2 feet (60 cm) high to provide sufficient space for the plants to grow and to protect them from pests. However, for taller Brassica varieties, such as kale or Brussels sprouts, a height of 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) may be necessary to accommodate their vertical growth. The cage should be tall enough for adequate airflow and easy access for maintenance and harvesting. A superior weighted netting, weighing in at 17g per square metre. Perfect for protecting your brassica crop and other vegetables in the kitchen garden or on the allotment. Standard width 3.5 metres (11ft 4) height 1.9 metres (6ft 3) lengths from 2 metres upwards, other widths available from 2.5 metres to 4 metres. The soft butterfly netting is light enough to lay directly over crops and strong enough to be used to cover frames, cages, or hoops.

The following Job is to install the “Hoops” and measure and mark the long rails on the frames, starting with the middle ones, then the two ends, followed by the final two positions between the middle and ends.One of the biggest challenges when growing brassicas is dealing with pests. Common pests that affect brassicas include pigeons, caterpillars, aphids and flea beetle. While pesticides can be effective, they can also harm beneficial insects and pollinators. Instead, try these organic methods to protect your brassicas instead: You'll frustrate the cabbage white butterflies season after season with this anti butterfly netting as the 100% polyethylene construction gives a long life expectancy and the multifilament technology used in the manufacture provides a soft, lightweight yet high strength netting. Cover your crops – use a very fine mesh netting to protect plants from pests such as flea beetle, egg-laying moths and butterflies (which produce caterpillars) and birds. These net cloches allow sunlight and water to pass through while preventing pests from getting in The Wonderwall requires no base and no specialist tools for installation. Installation takes 2 - 3 hours for 1 - 2 people (including tea and chatting time!) Easy to follow instructions, with full colour photographs of each stage of installation. Insect netting is a very fine mesh that prevents insects and butterflies entering, and is suitable for susceptible crops in the brassica family like brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage.