Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: timdunn on March 13, 2014, 15:03
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Hello,
I'm thinking ahead to the inevitable avian assault of my fruit bushes this year and have decided to invest in some new netting. The last stuff I used was a nightmare, as got tangled all the time and stuck on twigs and thorns.
So, I'm looking for some advice on what's best. Ideally, I'd like something that doesn't snag, tangle and can be draped over bushes and strawberries without restricting/warping their growth. I don't mind shelling out if the stuff will last a long time either.
Thanks!
Tim
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I use this stuff (http://www.nutleyskitchengardens.co.uk/woven-green-bird-netting-8m-wide-price-per-metre.html) - you can specify approximate length and width, and it's an appealing shade of green.
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I think 'draping' with garden netting works OK for strawberries because birds can't easily get underneath, although bold specimens may peck through it.
Luckily I don't have to net my autumn raspberries because the birds seem to have either disappeared or lost interest by the time they fruit, but my blueberries have to be very securely netted (the humble blackbird would kill to get at them - draping is not enough.)
Some people make substantial semi-permanent fruit cages but I merely use canes with small pop bottles over the ends, then place garden netting over it, peg it securely all the way round, and arrange to have a 'flap' of netting for easy access for picking (plastic spring clothes pegs are great for holding it up while you do so.)
Have never found a type of plastic netting which doesn't involve a bad-tempered wrestling match at some stage, although once it's in place there's no real problem (until you take it down again!! ::))
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i used these people last year for my net.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/elixirgardens?_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2754
the net did snag and pick up twigs, but i think every net will do this. it was easy to untangle as opposed to the fine horrible stuff. it really got some stick from being pulled tight and held in place with bricks over sharp concrete edging and rips or tears.