What can I use to cover my broccoli so it doesn't get eaten?

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growingup Tucson, AZ Nov 26, 2007

I FINALLY have heads showing, but i think birds are getting the best of my garden. I'm thinking for wrapping a light cloth around the heads and securing with a rubber band to keep the pests off. Will this hurt anything?

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paulgrow Allen Park, MI(Zone 6a) Nov 26, 2007

You can use a floating row cover or remay.
The are also nets used to protect fruit trees.
Paul

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Nov 26, 2007

Never had birds bother broccoli, few pests other than cabbage worms and sometimes loopers, but as Paul suggested light row cover material should work. Just don't use something that blocks out a lot of sunlight.

Todays harvest;

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doccat5 Fredericksburg, VA(Zone 7b) Nov 26, 2007

Or you can use a clean milk jug, just cut out the bottom and leave the lid off............Yippee another person who grows coles in the fall/winter!

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LTilton Glen Ellyn, IL(Zone 5b) Nov 27, 2007

Ziplock bags!

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doccat5 Fredericksburg, VA(Zone 7b) Nov 27, 2007

Just need to make sure that air can get thru and around the plant. You also might want to set up some pie tins..or something that flaps in the wind around the area. That has a tendency to spook the birds at least for awhile.

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Nov 28, 2007

I have had good results frightening the birds off by tie old CD/music freebie disc with some string onto a garden cane and the mirror type shine helps scare them off for a while when they move in the wind, but if the heads are almost ready, maybe cut and freeze them would help too as the birds are more than likely eating caterpillars off the heads, or the heads are getting flower seeds, the heads are actually flowers before they go to seed production, hope this helps you out. just dont add plastic or the heads will sweat and rot. good luck. WeeNel.

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dreamingflowers WayupNorth, MN(Zone 3a) Dec 01, 2007

Use pantyhose! they work for many veggies and most bugs-birds will leave them alone yet the sun and air comes through!

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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) Dec 07, 2007

Growingup, what are the symptoms you are seeing with your broccoli? Are the heads being eaten? Are the leaves being munched on (holes in leaves, edges of leaves nibbled, etc)?

Before you try any of the above suggestions I'd be inclined to narrow it down to the culprit. (I'm like F-dill, have never witnessed birds attacking cole crops.)

Shoe

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