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Gardening Tip of the Day
Prevent cabbage butterflies from eating and damaging cabbage plants with this easy method.
White cabbage butterflies lay eggs two or three times a year, depending on the weather, so protecting cabbage plants is a summer-long struggle.
The scent of peppermint is one of the easiest organic ways to repel the white cabbage butterflies from laying eggs on cabbage leaves. The caterpillars of the butterfly, called cabbage loopers, are the culprits who chew holes into the cabbage leaves.
Peppermint plants, planted close to cabbage plants, will deter the butterflies. However, mint spreads rapidly and can easily overtake a garden bed so planting the peppermint in planters and setting the pots close to the cabbage plants work just as effectively.
Another method is to spread peppermint leaves throughout the cabbage plants. Replace the leaves often so the scent remains fresh.
Small cloth bags filled with dried mint leaves strewn around the cabbage bed also works well.
In place of plants, peppermint essential oil can be used. Fill a small 2- or 3-ounce spray bottle with distilled water. Add a tablespoon of grain alcohol. Add 20 drops of peppermint essential oil. Spray this mixture on and around cabbage plants. Mist each plant lightly once or twice a week.
If all else fails, row covers work well since cabbage plants are not insect-pollinated.
Author Marilyn Pokorney
Copyright Marilyn Pokorney 2022
