[chris23005]

I now need to net my strawberries in the raised bed before the birds get to them. Can anyone recommend something which is reasonably priced but effective? i have plenty of bamboo canes (we removed a very invasive bamboo plant when we moved here!!!) so could probably use those to create a structure. However, we have a lot of birds in the garden and a nest of young robins, so I don't want them to become entangled in anything.

I also need straw - is a pet shop the best place to get that?

[Ian_A]

a few bamboo canes along the sides and corners of the bed, with upturned plastic milk/juice cartons etc on top of each to keep the netting in place - then use the cheapish green netting from homebase (often on the "cut your own size" roll). Worked a treat last year.

Straw - any garden centre/pet shop will do. It's quite cheap. I have a 8m by 3m strawberry bed and the straw for it cost £5.

[chris23005]

Brilliant! Thank you! Is the mesh you get from Homebase quite fine?

[Ian_A]

yes it is.

[chris23005]

Thanks .............. gets in car and drives off to get netting .......... 

[Kristen]

I use debris netting for my Strawbs and don't bother with a frame - I just lay it on top and secure with a few bricks at the corners and at intervals along the bed.  Easy to lift the whole thing / most / some off for picking

[DD.]

I do the same, but with Enviromesh.

[chris23005]

Got some strawberry netting today so will have a go at various options on Thursday. I am babysitting all day tomorrow and bearing in mind that the toddler in question put all his plastic bowls and spoons in the washing machine today, shut the door and set it off on a 50 degree wash, I am not anticipating getting much done in the garden! Going to need eyes in the back of my head!

[MoreWhisky]

I do the same, but with Enviromesh.

Enviromesh on strawbs !? someones go to much money lol

[spiderlyn]

Straw - any garden centre/pet shop will do. It's quite cheap. the straw for it cost £5.

  I hope that wasn't for a bag? find your local animal feed shop (agriculture) and you will get a bale for less.. you can keep it as long as you want, as long as it is stored dry or add it to your compost. or even better.. just ask your local farmer/ livery yard for some sweeping up in exchange for a bit of free veg

[DD.]

I do the same, but with Enviromesh.

Enviromesh on strawbs !? someones go to much money lol

Came on a big roll and it's just the bit left at the end!!!

Lighter than debris netting and lets more light through.

[Ian_A]

Straw - any garden centre/pet shop will do. It's quite cheap. the straw for it cost £5.

  I hope that wasn't for a bag? find your local animal feed shop (agriculture) and you will get a bale for less.. you can keep it as long as you want, as long as it is stored dry or add it to your compost. or even better.. just ask your local farmer/ livery yard for some sweeping up in exchange for a bit of free veg

no  it was not per bag. It was about £5 to straw the whole bed - 3m by 10m

[Ropster]

those people putting enviromesh or deberis netting on the strawbs, doesnt this stop them getting pollinated ?

[1jim]

glad I came across this thread, have 30 small strawberry plants to go into a raised bed and was wondering about netting and if it would stop polination.
Also do strawberries need manured soil?

[DD.]

The net is not on yet. There won't be a problem until they start ripening. Fruit is forming nicely.