I’m an organic gardener. It’s my second year trying to grow cabbage and other spring crops in Kansas. One thing I’ve had to figure out is cabbage moth control. I found them on my beautiful cabbages when I returned from the 2:1 Conference in Chicago a few weeks ago. We had a really, really hot week and it allowed some beautiful butterflies to flutter.

Where there is food supply for their young, they will most definitely lay their eggs. And bam! Cabbage “moth” larvae. I say moth in quotation marks because the worms shown above are actually the caterpillars of the Small White Butterfly: Pieris Rapae.  It’s also called the imported cabbage worm because it was accidentally introduced to North America.  I am absolutely sure this was the main invader of my cabbages and that it’s this particular species because I have seen this little white butterfly visiting on several occasions.

This invader not only goes for cabbages but will also attack vegetables in the same family (mustard family) which would include broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, and cauliflower. I also found what I believe to be cabbage loopers  (Trichoplusia ni) pictured above, left. But I can’t be completely sure because I never actually saw the moth, most likely because the eggs were laid at night, moths being nocturnal.  I’d never seen the inch worm looking type before, but realized that I’d better take action before I loose all of my spring veggies for sure. Last year I had to throw my cabbages away and I wanted to prevent it from happening again.

 I’m happy to say, “I figured out cabbage moth control.”

Now, let me show you how my garden looks right now {I took this picture on the 19th}. I’m so happy with it! 

I only lost one cabbage. I can start harvesting several things now and use them in our meals such as my onions and kale. I’m most happy about the broccoli, kale and saving all but one of my cabbages.

Steps for Cabbage Moth Control

1. I planted the starts earlier…

…around April 9th and I also started them as small plants from the garden store instead of from seed. My seeds did fine last year, but took way too long without a green house. From now on I have decided to start small plants in early April (cool weather only). I can always cover for a major frost. Here’s how they looked after being planted.

2. I removed the worms I found immediately and checked them daily.

This is the best action to take for organic gardeners. If you can catch them before they hatch, that’s even better! Unfortunately, they’re hard to see because they are excellently camouflaged. Wash and check each plant’s leaves up close when watering daily.

3. I noticed they prefer green cabbage.

Next year I plan to plant only red cabbages. They seem more resistant than the green variety. Just an observation I have made from watching.

4. Find a good organic spray.

I hate to do this, even if it says organic, but it was necessary. And I feel like the one time spray may be enough as well to prevent further eggs being laid. I found Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew Concentrate from a store I trust and that I know cares about gardening. It worked very well and I am so happy to say I only lost one cabbage and the others are now thriving! This was something I did reluctantly but am very glad I did.

You’ll find me writing about gardening in a few other places online: Gardening with Children on The Laundry Moms and…

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