Broccoli plant is runined?

Question

The grasshopers or bugs eat the leaves
and even the broccoli. What should I
do for next year to avoid this problem.

Answer 1

Don't worry,
you can chop your broccoli and it will multiply, making more for you in the fall. A good way to discourage hoppers is to use nematodes. These are organic pest killers that will take care of the problem permanently. The only issue is that you won't see results until next spring. In the meantime, you can mix a solution of dried cayenne pepper(1 tsp), liquid dish soap (1 tsp) and water (1 gallon) to spray on plants. Here is a site for more information and how to get nematodes:

http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=5006

PS their beneficial nematodes for mole crickets work on all hoppers. You can call and ask to be certain.

Happy Gardening!
gg

Answer 2

In our area of the Midwest, most cole crop damage (cabbage, broccoli, brussels srpouts) is caused by cabbage looper moth larvae (Looper worms, some call them). They're light green, soft bodied catterpillars about an inch in length. In the very early spring, when you see all those pretty white butterflies in the garden, they're setting you up for puny broc and holey cabbage. If you want to stay organic, your best bet is, as someone else said, floating row covers. This will keep all your flying and jumping pests off the plants. Keep the moths off the plants, and you'll have no worms. I never do this, but I do hand pick the worms in the early mornings and feed them to the chickens (When my daughter was very small, she did this for a penny per worm, made good dough and had fun watching the hens, too.). I know this isn't everyone's idea of a good time, but hey, we're farmers. You can also go the insecticidal soap route, but you have to re-apply it every time it rains or dews heavily. Please avoid chemical pesticides, as they usually kill the "good guys" that are responsible for pollination in the garden and in the wild.

Answer 3

Most likely you have cabbage loopers. They are little worms that just love cabbage, broccoli etc. Spray regulary with BT and you will not have a problem. I have never had problems with grass hoppers but it that is really what you have, mix a little hot pepper sauce in with the BT. If you don;t know what BT is just go to a garden center and they will show hou the bottle. It is an organic solution so you do not have to worry about pesticides if you are opposed to them. I am not and I just spray the hell our of the bugs. P.S. Cole crops do much better in cooler weather. I only plant them in the winter months in south texas.

Answer 4

Plant your broccoli as early in the year as you can. The plants do a lot better in the cool of spring and also taste much better. Try some floating row covers if they continue to give you problems.

Answer 5

Could be rabbits.Use crop rotation.Organically-spray with a product called "Dipel"..it is a powder mixed with water and sprayed when pests FIRST appear.It is a bacteria that causes critters to get out of town that does the job and no pesticides ..make your own of course if you want ie garlic and soap sprays...you can do what you want! A trick I used to like was putting "Derris Dust" in a sock and shaking it over the plants.

Answer 6

Wood ashes sprinkled over the broccoli.

Answer 7

Try using pesistize, theres a brand called anti-pest, you can buy it at home depot and at any gardening stores. It doesnt harm your food as well, i use it too it keeps the bugs away.
hope this helps.

Answer 8

kill all the broccolis for no more bugs eatting it or to put pesticides on it,even to do it this year(its not too late) to kill and prevant bugs eatting your broccoli!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

Buy broccoli at the store. It's much easier.

Answer 10

eat it be4 they do! lol, jkjk. I read that there's a special type of pesticide that you put on a week before it sprouts or something... the effects wear off after a while, and it kills all the bugs. idk... I just buy 'em organic....