My question is how do I get rid of them organically? Had tons last year, probably cause I grow lots of stuff they like. Have thought about getting a butterfly net but is there something else? Lisa

This year, I'm going to set the broccoli and cabbage plants out under floating row covers. This should keep them from laying eggs on the tender young plants.

In the past I've (sort of) controlled the winged pests through deployment of the Stealth Racquet. It was an old tennis racquet that I kept hanging in the garden and used to smash the butterflies in mid-flight.

My neighbors got used to seeing me wandering the garden paths with a glass of wine in one hand and the Stealth Racquet in the other, occasionally taking a wild swing at the air. A head or two of fresh-picked broccoli and they stopped thinking of me as a little off. (Or so it seemed.)

Wayne

Thanks Wayne,
I too have been thinking of doing the row covers. Do you know when to put them on and take them off? I would think that it would be hard to water thru them and that it would get too hot in the summer.
Guess I should check with extension and see if they know, they should.
With all the bugs in my garden last year I will have to have an entire garden covered with row covers!
Lisa

Hey, chicky momma, I'm not Wayne, but I can tell you that water, rain, sunlight, air circulation, etc. will get through the row covers just fine. They're made that way. BTW: Most big box stores now even sell them. Not too expensive either. But in a pinch, you could use sheer curtains or some cheap sheer fabric you can get at a dollar store.

Plus if you want to keep them up off the plants, just do a search here for "hoop houses" or "hoops" and you'll see many responses about how to erect a cheap and temporary (or permanent if you want) structure to 'lift' the covers up off the crops - like a tent.

If your climate is anything like mine, the row covers make an optimal habitat for slugs. Ugh. Break out the beer! Ideally, you want to put the cover on ASAP after planting. You could also consider a frame covered with screening.

I ran across this in the OG magazine.
http://www.mothblocker.com/catalog/
I think I'll try to make my own and see how that does.

I'd try to make my own too. Those things are 29 bucks a piece!?!?! To cover 1 cabbage plant?

They're wrong. I'm not "going to love moth-blocker." Who buys this stuff? People with more money than brains?

Row covers for me.

Wayne

I use row covers for broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Makes a big difference. DH made me some large rectangular pvc pipe structures just for the covers. To water I lift a corner to put the hose underneath. When the vegies are full grown I take off the row covers; by then it doesn't make any difference and it is easier to water without them.

The butterflies do not like mint. I place small containers of peppermint and spearment around the plants and occasionaly lay a sprig on the cabbages. Last year I tried something new. I took mint essential oil and sprinkled some on cotton balls. I placed these around the plants. I have no trouble with little green worms.

Thanks everybody,
I will try the row covers. I have a bunch that the neighbor gave us. I also made some PVC arches to support the row covers. I use them in the greenhouse to support plastic to bet stuff going sooner.
May also try the mint thing. Have the plants and essential oil. That stuff is good for everything! Lisa