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Watch closely Cabbage Family · Pest

Cabbage worms

Affects: Cabbage Broccoli Kale Cauliflower Brussels Sprouts Collard Greens

Cabbage worms - photo 1
Photo: Sam Fraser-Smith, CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Cabbage worms - photo 2
Photo: Downtowngal, CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Cabbage worms - photo 3
Photo: Doug Beckers, CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Cabbage worms - photo 4
Photo: James Johnstone, CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms

Ragged holes in leaves, velvety green caterpillars, and small dark droppings in the crown. White moths fluttering over the bed.

When it shows up

Through the warm season, peaking late spring into summer with several generations.

May Jun Jul Aug

Treatment

Hand-pick, or spray Bt (harmless to bees) every 1-2 weeks while moths are active.

Prevention

Float row cover over young plants, and interplant with aromatic herbs to confuse the moths.

What you need

The same products HomesteadSync recommends in the app for this problem.

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Catch it before it spreads

HomesteadSync watches your season and flags the pests and diseases likely to hit next - so you are ready, not surprised.

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