[brownp]

Hi
I have an issue with pigeons eating my brassicas.
I planted them out one day,went back the next to find that most had been reduced to ragged stumps.
Today, I made a frame out of timber and draped green netting across it to keep them off it. My question is...how do I get the netting to stay on the ground. It is flapping around and birds could get under it. I tried using bits of cane etc but without any great success.
Any tips?
thanks
Phil

[Loubs]

I lay boards and/or bricks over the edges of mine.

[binner]

hi phil i had exactly the same problem last year when i first started, they ate the lot.
this year i have used the old much talked about debris netting and water pipe trick. i have just used some old half bricks to hold the edges down mate and it seems to be working a treat

[brownp]

I know what debris netting is..how do you use water pipe in this way?
Do you mean big hoops of the blue stuff and put the netting over?

[mumofstig]

use empty milk bottles or pop bottles ..fill with water and use as weights to hold the netting down if you have no bricks

[Dilly Dom]

Tent Pegs?

[DavidT]

As Sue says, tent pegs. Or if you have access to some heavy duty wire, make your own. You can buy pegs at your local gc for about £2.50 for 10.

[Will1983]

air rifle???

[DavidT]

air rifle???

Not on an allotment.

[Christine]

Sparrowhawk - we've got a local one and it does keep the pigeons at bay, but it's a shame it also upsets the pigeon men by eating some of theirs too.

[DavidT]

It`s easier and much more humane to use netting as a preventative. There is no use for guns on allotments or other small gardens.

[Ian_A]

I now use the debris netting and 5ft posts around brassica bed. Simply drap the debris netting over the posts and use metal tent peg hooks to secure to the ground.

I also use plastic milk bottles over top of posts between post and netting so netting doesnt wear.

[peskypixie]

we have water pipes, netting and use tent pegs - slugs still get in though!

[mumofstig]

we have water pipes, netting and use tent pegs - slugs still get in though!

the slugs don't have to get through the netting, they live in the soil
Netting is to stop birds and cabbage white butterflies.

[binner]

I know what debris netting is..how do you use water pipe in this way?
Do you mean big hoops of the blue stuff and put the netting over?

yes, the debris netting is 3m wide and my hoops are 2.9, but that is to fit over my beds. i push 3ft garden canes half into the ground and put the pipe over this, holds it nice and solid on my windy plot