Mesh? Or mesh??

[tim]

I know I showed a sample last year, but this shows well the different densities of Kay's Viromesh & standard mesh.

Nice stuff?

[tim]

[Mrs Ava]

Very smart Tim.  So, does that keep out things like carrot fly?  It looks a darn site more robust than the fleece I am using that the mice have chewed.  I was planning to invest in a large amount in the autumn.

Neat veggies by the way!

[zoro]

Hi
Interested in the mesh ...is the type builders use to screen off while building ?
i cannot find it to buy ..or beg   any advise welcomed ??

[tim]

Emma - you're fooling me? You know it does everything - is heavier than fleece but doesn't get weighed down with rain - lets it through - & is many times the price of fleece. And is robust.

zoro - www.kayshorticulture.com/ -

[Mrs Ava]

I jest you not Tim, just curious.  There are so many different fleeces, mesh, nets, bug controls on the market, if I am going to invest some of my hard earned, I want to make sure I get my monies worth this time.  The fleece has been great and has last for 3 years, but it is now getting holey, (thanks Mice!) and thin.  If it is more robust, then I could use it for carrots, cabbages and everything!

[tim]

It isn't cheap - about £3/m, 3.2m wide.

And being denser, it is heavier.

Do you want a sample?

[tim]

Written for someone else, but I'm putting it here in case it helps.

MESH

1. NOT a frost protection - so far as I know.
2. Much heavier than fleece when dry. But lighter in rain - which passes through. Fleece soaks it up and drags things down.
3. It follows that plants will get the water, whereas fleece soaks up anything less than a good shower.
4. Don't like cutting it up into little bits & losing the selvedge on 2 sides.
5. Initially much more expensive. Need the finer, more expensive one for flea beetle & carrot fly. (Later - or so they say!)
6. Hell to handle & pack up - slips & slides everywhichway. But fleece always blows under your feet & trips you up?
7. Sheds water for storage.
8. Can lay it single handed. Try to lay fleece in a dead calm - like you're going to take a photo of some important thing - & yes - the wind gets up. It can even be airborne in still air!!
9. Doesn't get airborne so easily as mesh when in situ.

[tim]

Right - I think that I've got that more or less straight now?

Bad afternoon - ferrying people around - much mileage - no afternoon rest - much waiting - forgot essential things - forgot pin no & held up Tesco queue - early Scotch.

I do apologise for any confusion caused.

[moonbells]

Oh dear - hope today is better!

I find carrot fly doesn't get through the normal enviromesh size - though admittedly for the last couple of years I've had it doubled over as the foxcubs jumped on it and pulled massive holes... sigh.

But the fine definitely keeps off everything - and I haven't had to water the brassicas under it. The red cabbs are just starting to head up, and they are 2' in diameter already! Husband already looking forward to it (and I can't grumble - he eats few enough veg as it is!)

moonbells

[supersprout]

And mesh can be washed in the machine :D
Even on a bad afternoon :-\

[tim]

I didn't hear that!!

[pompeydude]

I've just invested in some to keep the Whites of my spinach,  and it's great stuff,  far better than normal fleece, but a bit pricier though. But as "THEY" say " you get what you pay for"

who are "They"?

[Pigface51]

Forgive me for seeming naive (well, I am a bit to all of this) - but how small a mesh should be needed to keep flea beetles out...

...and just o clarify, I am right in thinking flea beetles are the wee small beasties that leave lots of teenie tiny holes in leaves (not to be confused with the monster gaps in my Broccoli leaves due to hungry (now deceased) caterpillers).

The smallest holed mesh I've been able to find locally is 3mm x 3mm, but I guess you can get smaller than that....if so, where/how?

[supersprout]

I use this:
http://www.lbsgardendirect.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=R-VCCLOCHE&name=cloche+hoop&sfile=1&jump=0

[Chantenay]

I used enviromesh for the first time last year and my leafy brassicas looked as good as they tasted - so much easier in the kitchen. I found that the ordinary mesh kept out green fly, butterflies/caterpillars, all but the most ingenious whitefly, birds, rabbits and cats. However, I am going to indulge in a piece of "ultra-fine" mesh next year for the bed which has the rooty brassicas such as swede and turnip, as the flea beetle has got through the odinary stuff.
I buy from agralan - I think they make the stuff??

[tim]

Have you compared NA Kay's price?

Theirs is a lot finer than standard Enviromesh - which I make about 1mm.

[Chantenay]

OOOooooer - you're absolutely right. What a good supplier. Thanks Tim.