Sounds like cutworm damage although an additional possibility is the fungus disease called damp-off. You can Google both terms for pics to compare to your plants.

Dave

You didn't say how long they have been planted or how big.

Don't know about the ants but I've seen the same thing many times in Ohio with Broc. The plants seem to be growing fine but then seem to wilt and die without warning after more than a month.... because cabbage moth caterpillars eat the roots up to the stem so the plant can't get moisture. If you ever see the little white moths fluttering around the garden, they lay eggs on the cabbage/broccoli plant. Very common, but not that easy to stop.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to some info

ok....I would say they are cutworms causing the damage. The plant are about 6 inches or so and have be in about a month.

I have seen these cut worms when I was digging but thought they were grubs. Maybe they are concidered to be grubs?

Thank you both for the followup. Noki that link was very helpful!! Now I have to figure out what to do to stop them. I am afaid I am going to go out tomorow and the rest will be flopped over. I think they may have gottin a kale plant also...it was looking weak this afternoon.

Any suggestions on how to best stop the cut worms?? I have be doing an all organic garden....but if this keeps going.....I won't have a garden.

Cutworms are quite common in the garden and their damage is relatively easy to prevent. The most common tried and true method is to simply slide a thicker stick right along side the stem of the transplant. If the cutworm can't wrap around the stem with his body he can't damage it. Many folks use a big nail, a popsickle stick, a piece of a plastic drinking straw, a thick twig, etc. just use your imagination.

Some also use collars made from all sorts of things - strips of aluminum foil, toilet paper rolls (though they get wet and cave in), strips of plastic, etc. They just need to fit up against the stem snugly but not tight enough to interfere with growth.

And there is always corn meal but it has to be reapplied after rain. They eat it, swell up and die.

Just Google 'cutworm control' for all sorts of tips and tricks.

Dave

I have been using bamboo skewers. I often use 2 to a plant, on opposing sides as I had a cutworm go up one side and start chewing. They were not able to get through but it was still damage. Next year, when I see garlic and onions popping up above the soil I plan to mix cornmeal with Bt and place in those areas early. We did try cornmeal this year but I think we applied it after the greatest amount of activity.

It was said "...cabbage moth caterpillars eat the roots up to the stem..."

Not so. Cabbage moth caterpillars feed only on top growth.

True , the root eaters are Cabbage root maggots.

Here is a link that might be useful: cabbage root maggot