Cabbage, cauliflower & swede

[grubbysoles]

Hi all. I recently started off some seedlings of all the above veggies and have now planted them out into the veg patch. I've not grown any of these before, just wondering if I need to put slug rings around them, or similar? And presumably I'll need to net them off to keep the butterflies off? (Learnt that one the hard way last year when my brussels sprouts became caterpillar hotels....)

Any tips appreciated!!

Emma

[Odsox]

If you have slug rings then most definitely put them around the cauliflowers. I grow slugs by the bushel and most of them would just love to take up residence in the cauliflower curds. Also cauliflowers especially need to be kept well watered, a point to bear in mind if you get a lengthy dry spell.
The other thing you might want to do is put brassica collars on them all (cabbage & cauli), or you just might lose the lot to cabbage root fly.
I know I was always pestered with that when I lived in Kent.

Other than that, some good luck and a daily inspection to pick off the caterpillars.

[grubbysoles]

Thanks Odsox, have just ordered some brassica collars from ebay (not very 'ish', I know, should probably have asked freecycle or something for them!). I'll keep an eye out for the 'pillars - our next door neighbour's garden is an overgrown wilderness and ever so good for over-the-fence caterpillar-flinging.