Many of the insects and other pests that plagued the summer vegetables are still around, some in even higher numbers than in June. And many fall crops, particularly cabbage family members, which include cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprouts grown from seedlings, are prime targets for aphids, cutworms and other caterpillars. A cutworm can topple a young seedling overnight.
Aphids can build up rapidly on the undersides of cabbage leaves.
The cabbage looper can quickly chew holes in leaves, turning your magazine-cover plants into a real disappointment. Diligence in watching for such insects as aphids will allow you to attack them early with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap before their numbers build up. And a stiff paper collar, about 2 inches tall, placed around seedlings is great insurance against cutworms. The cabbage looper, whose population increases through the summer, may attack broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce and spinach. The organic caterpillar remedy Bacillus thuringiensis works well on the young insects.