I have occasionally managed to grow cabbages, broccoli and to a lesser extent, cauliflower but it is a constant battle to keep them bug-free. I choose not to use pesticides, therefore, exclusion remains the best option.
After much research, I finally bit the bullet a couple of days ago and ordered a quantity of Vege Net from eBay. I was particularly pleased to discover that the seller was located in my home state.
The order was dispatched promptly and I received it within 2 days of placing my order.
Then it was time to wrestle with 120 sq metres of knitted polyethylene fabric.
My plan was to make a reasonably fitted cover to slip over the hoops we had positioned over the garden bed.
I cut a large rectangle which would cover the majority of the bed and 2 semicircular pieces for the ends. Pins are useless on this type of fabric so I used some old pegs to hold the pieces in place while I stitched the seams using a regular sewing machine.
Once this was done, it was simple matter of slipping the cover over the hoops. Because this is a raised garden bed the extra fabric simply hangs down to completely enclose the desired area.
View of the new seedlings safely undercover.
I anchored one end with some rocks so that it will not blow off.
I am considering adding some lead weights to the other edges or making a long elasticised tie to go right around the raised bed.
There is another cover to be made for a second garden bed which is not raised so I will just anchor that one with rocks all the way around.
The total amount of fabric I used to cover the 2 beds was about 24 sq metres or 20% of the total. The remainder is back in the bag for use to cover fruit trees or other garden beds in the future.
I spent $125 on the fabric (including postage) and believe that it has been money well-spent as it is an investment in our future food production.
I would definitely recommend this product if you are considering exclusion netting for any plants. It is available in smaller quantities and you could also simply drape it over the area rather than making fitted covers.
organised castle 
I also refuse to grow them well I do grow Brussel Sprouts but the rest with issues I buy frozen 🙂
Brilliant and well done! Such an inspiration you always are!
Your road trip looked fun. Surely could use a break from the monotony here too.
Best to you! 🙂
Jen
Great work. I am not skilled enough to see that. I just bought a vegepod. Any veggies we grow and eaten by possums – they even have a munch on chillies. We have tough possums here! Or hungry ones. Soooo many of them. But they don’t eat the chives. I hope my vegepod will protect the greens I plan to grow. And strawberries in summer.
wow I wish I had read this post earlier Fairy. I have found netting from USA cheaper than I could get it anywhere in Australia for the price delivered to my home in Tassie. The tax and delivery were 70% of the cost. I am purchasing 50meter a bit longer in length by 3 pieces the cost for the three lengths of netting is $45 Aus. it is probably not as good quality as yours and mine is green. Though I could have chosen other colours. Love your sewing. If you do use elastic look for something that is perhaps weather sun/water proof. It would be horrible to go to all the work and it not last. So lovely to have fresh brassicas. I am not a huge success of cabbages or caulies.