Bugs and Cabbage?

[Joseph Lofthouse]

My general strategy towards bugs is to only grow crops that are immune to the
pests in my garden. For example, I don't grow hubbard squash because in my garden
they get vigorously attacked by several kinds of squash bugs. But I can grow any other
type of squash. I don't grow lemon cucumbers because they get attacked by
mildew.

I'm wondering if any of you know about varieties of cabbage that are immune
to aphids and/or cabbage moths?

[canadamike]

Many say glazed collards are less attacked by bugs, I will grow some this summer and verify, but in my garden, red cabbage is quite OK with regards to the moths. I do not know if it is that they prefer the green ones that then lure them or if it would be the same without them, I always grew both.

I was really surprised last summer by Early Jersey Wakefield. I had it in 2 of my 4 gardens, and in large quantities, and although there was some evidence of the moth, damage was quite minimal to the heads. Could their more vertical pointed head shape deter the buggers?

Has anybody else noted that??

[raymondo]

I had Green Glaze (aka Southern Greasy) collards and a red caggage (unknown variety) in the same bed. Neither got bothered too much by the Cabbage White Butterly (Pieris rapae - ?cabbage moth) or aphids (I have some crosses from these growing now ;D). Not 2m away I had a bed of broccoli which was loved by the butterfly but again, not much aphid activity. I can't say whether what I saw was indicative or just a one-off.
I also had some EJW cabbage in that didn't get too bothered by the butterfly (no aphids at all). I let them regrow after harvest and the new cabbages have been decimated by the butterfly larvae, but this was over the summer, peak butterfly season. Luckily, cool weather is very close and the damn butterflies will soon disappear until next summer.
You could try growing under a row cover of some suitable material with a fine mesh. That would stop both aphids and butterflies.

[ceara]

I grew a lot of cabbage family veg last year, and all in one area. Suicide, right? hehe

The cabbage whites didn't bother anything, but then I heard supposedly they go by sight. I would sit out there and watch the moths flutter around the area but never land. There was a lot of self seeded Johnny Jump Ups growing between the rows and plants. Also marigolds and a few self seeded red poppies were dotted around the patch.

I always let the little violas go nuts wherever they want to go. Seems to keep out weeds and not bother the other plants.

[canadamike]

I must say, I never saw ONE aphid on one of my cabbage crops, never. I'll keep my finger crossed. I never had much of an aphid problem mind you, there are so many good bugs here.

[mnjrutherford]

You think the Johnny Jump Ups did the trick huh? Fascinating. They grow wild here and I've been known to yank up the patches from the farmers fields and put them around my place. He thinks they are annoying weeds. I think they are adorable! I had no idea they were doing anything more than just lookin' good though.

[ottawagardener]

I've never seen aphids on the cabbages either but my Mammoth Red Rock cabbage does seem to have very little cabbage moth damage. It also withstands slugs better. I wouldn't call them immune but they easy going, yes. Its a late season variety with a very hard, dense, round head. Maybe the birds can spot the green caterpillars on the purple leaves and pick them off?

[Joseph Lofthouse]

Slugs?

I've seen articles in gardening magazines about all sorts of
clever ways to manage slugs but I'm pretty sure I've never
seen a slug in my garden. (Too arid?)

Now that I think more carefully about it my aphid problem
only occurs during the month or so between the first frost
and snowfall.

[ceara]

Earwigs destroyed my second crop of cabbage last year but did not touch anything else. It's war on those nasty critters this year! Not to mention the baby bat I found under one of the big cabbage leaves. That was an experience in itself. lol It's also war on slugs this year. I heard calcified seaweed around plants was a decent slug deterrent.

Johnny Jump Ups are medicinal and have many uses. Often called "Heartsease."

I don't think there was anything special about the little violas, only they provided a scattering of color that may have prevented the cabbage whites from seeing what they wanted to destroy.

Not sure where I heard it, but it was said the cabbage whites find their food by sight. So supposedly if it's camouflaged with other plants, it has a better chance. Same for aphids. Some people say use clover around brassicas.

[Joseph Lofthouse]

OK then red cabbage it is....

I have seeds now for "Mammoth Red Rock".

Thanks!

[canadamike]

And that is a good on eJoseph. Now, try to put your hands on a pointed cabbage like Early Jearsey Wakefield or Winningstadt and report...but expect less bugs....

[bluelacedredhead]

Michel, have you grown Winningstadt?