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first time Nobby Greens (brusels sprouts)

Alan4711Alan4711 Posts: 1,657
in Fruit & veg
around12" tall now but getting the new centre growth attacked by I think birds ,they have support canes but how do you stop them being eaten at this stage of growth ??, surly not in cages, what do farmers do ?, im stumped, these were grown in the g?house and were strong when planted into the allotment,  any ideas folks,Alan

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I'm afraid I can't answer the question, but I love the name "nobby greens" :D . Never heard that one before.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    I grew them for the first time last year, though I'd grown other brassicas. I sowed mine in a small pot, pricked them out into a tray and then potted on into individual pots to grow on,  in the GH, until their leaves were big enough and tough enough to be able to resist a degree of damage.
    2 inches is tiny,  far too small to withstand the challenges of outdoor life. Mine were nearer 6", with strong stems. They grew on without further protection and I had sprouts for dinner on the festive day. :)  
    I am lucky that  my pigeons (actually stock doves) are more interested in the bird feeders than my plants and a cool August meant few butterflies, though these have never been a major problem here. Slugs on the other hand...!
  • Alan4711Alan4711 Posts: 1,657
    hi all thats the strange thing mine were 12" not 2" and still being attacked, its a difficult one ,poor nobbies 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I have to net all of my brassicas with butterfly net, otherwise the woodies and caterpillars would have the lot.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I have never heard the phrase nobby greens used outside Nottinghamshire. Are you a genuine yeller belly, Alan?
    Rutland, England
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