[fred-quimby]

Are 25mm wholes small enough to keep out butterflies?  If not what is the magic size please? Thanks

[sowitgrowit]

I read that 7mm was the size to keep butterflies at bay, I think.

25mm is enormous compared to the body of a butterfly.

I use scaffold netting.

[Lottiman]

I would say 25mm is far to large, the net for my brassica cage is around 6 or 7 mm.

[mumofstig]

Yes, 7mm or smaller - I watched as one of the Small Cabbage White butterflies  folded its wings and got through the 7mm  That's why I changed to debris netting.

[Chrysalis]

Go for the smallest you can afford.  It seems to me that the smaller the holes the more expensive it is.  Or am I just a cynic? 

[JayG]

No, you just have good powers of observation (air is free, plastic costs money!)   

[ally]

where is the best place to get debris netting??? I have seem some on ebay and amazon but anywhere else?  I am going to build a cage for my brassicas, so best height to make it?  was thinking 2"? not grown them before (successfully) so tips would be great!

[gremlin]

Google it.   The best deals seem to vary every time I look for it

It's an industrial product, but can be a bit more difficult to get in smaller quantities for the same price you would pay wholesale for a 100m roll.

 

[SalB]

We have a local scaffolding company who give away their used debris netting free of charge , s long as you collect it.
Apparently they can only use it the once , and have to pay to have it disposed of. Our allotment plots are full of bright blue netting .
Try calling a local scaffolding firm and see if they are happy to donate
Sal

[boldondig]

From my experience - Garden netting (25mm ) keeps off pigeons - debris netting ( E bay is the place to get this ) keeps off everything except white fly - Enviromesh - V . Expensive keeps off everything and in my experience you get lovely clean cabbages etc...It depends if you are trying not to use sprays  - or trying grow veg to save ££

[ally]

We have a local scaffolding company who give away their used debris netting free of charge , s long as you collect it.
Apparently they can only use it the once , and have to pay to have it disposed of. Our allotment plots are full of bright blue netting .
Try calling a local scaffolding firm and see if they are happy to donate
Sal

Excellant I will call around in the morning .... Thanks

From my experience - Garden netting (25mm ) keeps off pigeons - debris netting ( E bay is the place to get this ) keeps off everything except white fly - Enviromesh - V . Expensive keeps off everything and in my experience you get lovely clean cabbages etc...It depends if you are trying not to use sprays  - or trying grow veg to save ££

I love gardening ... a v. good stress release and its mine!  but it is to save some £££ the cost of veg alone is     but on the flip side the last time I grew a cauliflower and had to soak it in salt to get the caterpillars out I just couldnt eat it!! I know ... i am sure I will get over it I have with most other things, having to shake of the ants on the way to the kitchen with my lettuce, its a must and it gets done so I can have just cut salad, it makes all the difference, and keeps alot longer   Bring on the harvesting .....

[AnneB]

We use used debris netting free from our local scaffolding company (who is also a useful source of very cheap scaffolding planks too) for all brassicas.  We reserve the enviromesh for carrots and parsnips to prevent carrot fly.

[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

Thanks Guys!

Going to email a few scaffolding contractors.

[ally]

Money saved. . . A scaffolding company owner is giving me some netting, of to get it now! Thanks for the advice . . . . Hopefully I will have caterpillar free cauliflowers and the birds won't eat my psb this year 

[Beetroot queen]

Our local scaffolding people can't re-use stuff under a certain length which is the right size for our beds.  we just pop along and they say help yourself it's usually just sat in a skip. I do spend my evenings sewing any holes up including the cable tie holes that run along the coloured strips lol it's just like repairing fish netting