[Sadgit]

Mr Oliver said "he" used them to protect the seedlings from Mr Pigeon, do they work? As I am Fleece man but it blows away or rips in these winds...

cheers
SG

[charley1980]

I saw that too and thought I'd try it this year. I have a pair of wood pidgeons who kindly nest in my sky dish outside my bedroom window and live close to woods so there are always loads flying around overhead. Last year I had no problem with my runners that were uncovered but this year I'm also doing broad beans, peas and mange tout, so feel I may need to be a bit more careful this year. I'll give it a try, but have some nets in reserve just in case!!

[PAH48]

Hi SG...all I can say so far on our lot', I've noticed both methods being
used, but I do agree the fleece does blow around, as for the sticks
surely the pigeons can still get to them?
I've noted some people using old plasic bottle, base cut off, screw top removed, as a cloche type thing, but even those can only/surely be  left on so long :?:
Its a puzzle, each has its own benifits :!:   PAH

[lee]

I used canes lined up in rows to protect my peas last year, but also tied string back and to between the canes close to ground level.  :idea:  The idea was that this would not only keep the pigeons off (which we do have a problem with) but would also provide some support to the young seedlings.


Seemed to work OK, although it was a bit time consuming to set up and then untangle the old plants from the string when they were over.

[Aidy]

Pea sticks werks (munty speak) for me, pigeons dont like anything around their feathers, if you also tie some black cotton on them werks (arrrghh) even better. Always a good time to offer to cut someones privit brush at this time, more so if it is overgrown.

[Eristic]

I only grow tall varieties of peas and support them with suitable twiggy sticks from the hedgerow. The lowest peas hang too high above the ground for pigeons to reach and the sticks mostly are too thin to give the birds a perch to feed. They always get a few but overall it works.

[matron]

I only grow tall varieties of peas and support them with suitable twiggy sticks from the hedgerow. The lowest peas hang too high above the ground for pigeons to reach and the sticks mostly are too thin to give the birds a perch to feed. They always get a few but overall it works.

What varieties do you grow Eristic as I grew a tall variety last year but could only find the one.

[Sadgit]

thanks guys... I think I will try several different methods and see which is best

[Eristic]

I grow Pilot for the early crop and Alderman for maincrop. There are lots of others.