Beating the Butterflies

You know I found Butterfly eggs on one of my Brussels Sprout plants the other day? Well, I decided that the time had come to prevent any further infestations by covering the bed with anti-butterfly netting. I have seen a few Small White butterflies around, but they are not yet in plague proportions like they were last Summer, though I expect they will come in greater numbers very soon.

I didn’t have enough long wooden stakes, so I used some I made from the arms of an old rotary washing-line. They work very well, and in fact they are easier to hammer in, since they are slimmer than the chunky wooden ones.

The mesh of this net has a diameter of about 5mm, which will stop Butterflies getting in, but I think it would also deter all but the most determined bees as well. Fortunately the Brussels Sprouts don’t require the services of bees…

You will notice that I have weighted-down the edges of the net with bricks. Those bricks are invaluable. I don’t know how I would manage without them!