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05 Mar 09 Kate (Australia - temperate climate)

Those pesky white cabbage moths decimated the last lot of broccoli I planted in October, and it was growing so well before they attacked. I tried bird mesh with quite small holes but they still got through. I tried Dipel which is a natural fungus that kills the caterpillars after they start to eat leaves treated with it, but you have to keep reapplying and make sure you get the whole leaf including underneath, plus it washes off easily. To get caterpillars off before you cook the broccoli, I have read that a little vinegar in luke warm water will get them off. Re veggies that grow in partial shade - try green beans and other kinds of beans - I read they are happy in semi-shade, although you would need to be careful that the tree doesn't take all the nutrients and water.

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