I'm growing cabbage for the first time in central Kentucky, and I've noticed holes in the leaves of my healthy plants. I started them from seed and haven't seen any bugs on them. It seems to only be affecting the cabbage, while my tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers are all fine. Can anyone help me figure out what's going on and how I can stop it?
1 Answer
It sounds like you might be dealing with cabbage worms! They're small and green, which makes them hard to spot. Check the leaves for tiny black droppings, as that's a telltale sign. To prevent future damage, consider using fine mesh or row covers from the very beginning, even while you're hardening off the plants. If the problem persists, there's a biological spray called Btk that specifically targets caterpillars but is safe for humans and other critters. Just remember, it's a contact pesticide, so you'll want to spray it directly on the caterpillars and might need to apply it a few times.
Thanks for the tip! I checked for droppings and didn't see any, but since I watered this morning, they might have been washed away. I inspected my plants thoroughly and couldn't find any worms around either. I might be able to keep an eye out, since they're still small and easy to search. Just two days ago everything looked healthy!