I didn't want to feed the cabbage white caterpillars next year and so I constructed a wood framed cage with debris netting. I wanted something that would fold away for storage and so I incorporated hinges in the base so it folds in on itself, the lid is held in place with four toggle catches on the non folding side and I used a dowel screw (half screw, half bolt) with wing nuts to hold the lid to the hinged sides (this also helps the structure maintain its shape), I attached flat mending plates to the underside so I can peg it down externally to secure it in position and stop it turning into a kite! I also drilled through the top of the folded frame and slotted tent pegs through so the hinges are supported when it is moved around, the tent pegs also make nice carrying handles.
This first one was the prototype and I am going to make another three to go along with it, some things I have learned whilst making this one......
1. It looks neater and is more practicable to staple the mesh to the inside of the frame rather than on the outside.
2. The debris netting has a seam running through it which has larger holes than the mesh, sowing the holes up is laborious - however with better planning I think I can position the seams to lay across the wood that makes up the frame work so all I would need to do is staple the net to the wood and the wood would cover the holes in the seam.
3. At 3 foot in height I think I have made this one a little bigger than I needed to - next ones will be made closer to 2 foot.
4, It is not a good idea to drill through the netting - it gets twisted around the drill bit!!
The taps have been turned off, so it was time to get a water butt, the ones at Wilkinsons looked good value at £24 (plus £13 for the stand) I then got creative with the spare bits and bobs I had from the odd jobs done at home and made a connection to some spare guttering, I fixed it all in place today and testing it with the watering can, it all works good - bring on the rain!