Whiteflies got my Jersey Cabbage - question

[wifezilla]

I sprayed for over a week...insecticidal soap. It did kill what it touched, but I always seemed to miss a patch and that was all it took. I finally got disgusted and just pulled them all up and gave them to the ducks. They didn't mind the extra protein on their cabbage one bit

So anyway...next year... row covers should take care of that problem, correct?

Also, what can I plant in the spot the cabbage used to be that wont turn in to whitefly food? Kale is out (they got that too). Spinach? Any other suggestions for a cool weather crop that whiteflies wont eat?

 

[wifezilla]

Anyone?

 

[vfem]

Turn the soil, air it out a few days. I would probably plant a root crop they won't bother much... like diakon or other radish. :/

I did put row covers down this year on my cabbage as I've lost the last 3 batches of cabbage to cabbage moth caterpillars. I'll update ya on how mine do. So far, I've got very little sproutage... and the little I had... ants got in under the row covers and built a super colony!!! Grrrrrr

 

[wifezilla]

Ooo....I do have daikon seeds.

It is airing out right now. I will give it a DE sprinkle too. I do have lettuce in half the bed. White flies didn't touch it. I could do more lettuce if the daikon doesn't work out.

Used some PVC scraps to make a hoop house cover for the bed. It can hold up a row cover next spring. For now I can use plastic for the few freezes we get right before we have months of nice weather.

 

[hoodat]

I keep a sanctuary patch with plants that are attractive to both harmful insects and predators. It is never sprayed and given only enough care to keep it going. Weeds are allowed there. I credit that for having so few whitefly problems in the rest of my garden even though San Diego is whitefly heaven.