Problems...

So, slowly some of my plants are getting chewed off at the base of the leaf. So far it is cauliflower, brussel sprouts and swiss chard. Originally I thought it was birds. So we hung old DVDs to scare the birds away. Things did not get better. I looked up causes and it seems to be cut worm. A larvae of the turnip moth. I hate them. Ironically their natural predators are birds!

See their lovely pictures here: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/00-055.htm

www.oisat.org/downloads/AgorEcoCutworms.doc

Basically the advice is to dig them out and place a cardboard sleeve around the base of the plant. Brussel sprouts has been saved but the cauliflower was not so lucky. You are also supposed to place wood ash on the dirt. Not sure where I can get this? Anyone?