[Sadgit]

I keep harping on about it, but I never use netting but Fleece. Stops everything getting in except the damn slugs of course

[dougsta]

Ok a silly question perhaps but if you use really fine netting over your veg how do they pollenate and produce fruit?

You just need to make sure that your greens are covered. Not sure about the pollination. Veg seeds germinate and only require warmth, water and nutrients to grow. Fruit requires pollination. If you have a large fruit cage covering your fruit with netting over the whole lot, this should be removed during the winter to allow birds and such in to rid the trees and bushes of pests and only covered when the fruit appears, to stop it being eaten by pests

I'm about to build a fruit cage around my raspberries, blackcurrants & redcurrants this spring. I'm guessing that this scaffold netting won't be any good for me cos will keep the bees out too. Shame - it's the right price though. Good call for brassicas I would say.

My problem has always been how to support the netting across a full 30ft row. Any top tips out there?

[Sadgit]

I use dowling type bit of wood with bits of old hose pipe to make a tunnel. or I use canes with old milk bottle on top of them to make a tent structure

[Steve.P]

Hi Dougsta,

Scaffold net would be ok for a fruit cage. Cables ties would be ok for support. Fruit cages should be uncovered completely during the winter and spring to allow birds onto the bushes and trees to get rid of the pests. Also bees and insects should be allowed in the spring to pollinate. Just cover the whole lot up when the fruit appears.

[dougsta]

Hi Dougsta,

Scaffold net would be ok for a fruit cage. Cables ties would be ok for support. Fruit cages should be uncovered completely during the winter and spring to allow birds onto the bushes and trees to get rid of the pests. Also bees and insects should be allowed in the spring to pollinate. Just cover the whole lot up when the fruit appears.

Genius idea, thank you

Will the scaffold net still allow enough light in for the fruit to ripen?

[Steve.P]

Yes i use it to cover my greens and it lets plenty of light in, also rain water. See if you can look a a piece somewhere to judge for yourself. The tighter you pull the net the bigger the gaps will become, but only slightly. Not sure what size cage you a after but a cage 10 metres long, 4 metres wide and 2 metres high would use 48 metres of net (think the maths is right :blink:) If like most people you are using wood to build your cage you could use those small hooks the you hang net curtains up with to hold the scaffold net in place.

[dougsta]

I'll measure it up accurately but from memory approx 10' x 20', 6' high in old money
Around 3m (wide) x 7m (length) x 2m (high) - which is about 61 square metres of netting  by my maths

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GARDEN-NETTING-SHEETING-NET-BIRD-SCREEN-GREEN-2M-X-50M_W0QQitemZ120372676476QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_H_G_Ladders_RL?hash=item120372676476&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

If this is the stuff, then it even comes in 2m width which is the planned height of my cage. This is 100 square metres leaving a bit spare for other purposes.

Should get me out of the woods for £30 - kerching. I expected a lot more

You have saved me a lot of money. Many, many thanks Steve.

Doug

[Steve.P]

Yep thats the stuff, hope it goes well mate. Put some pics up when ya finished. Looking forward to seeing it

[dougsta]

Will be building a cage when the weather warms up a bit
Will fit the netting as you suggest - once the fruit has set
Will try to remember to takes piccies at each stage

Only planted the canes and bushes in December
Current piccies look like this http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=31307.0
Cage going at the shed end

[Steve.P]

Just had a look doudsta, great looking plot

[Noah'strolly]

I keep harping on about it, but I never use netting but Fleece. Stops everything getting in except the damn slugs of course

Last year the fleece over my carrots got ripped to shreds in the wind and the root fly got them!

[aubergine]

Steve.P excellent advice ,going to get me some blue .
Regards Aubergine