Viromesh...have i done the right thing?

[veggie lover]

Hi All

I have recieved my VERY expensive order of viromesh today, the trouble is i'm worrying now that i may have wasted my money :-\! Im sure it will be fine and im being silly ::), i've had so many failures it was the last straw to stop the beasties from ruining my brassicas.

I have had a bit of trouble fixing it down as it is quite heavy and i dare'nt lie it directly on my PSB or Cauli, so have used hoops in a fashion... now the sides are not completely sealed as when the wind blows it does flap up slightly inbetween the bricks which are weighting it down.. does it matter or do i need a total seal.. if so how do i get one please???

My Lotty neighbours think im bonkers buying it :'( but i don't want to use pesticides!
Please someone tell me i've done right ;D

Any advice will be very much appreciated

[veggie lover]

[dandelion]

I bought some enviromesh to protect my carrots, salad leaves (rocket, Mizuna etc.)and cabbage seedlings.
I use lengths of wood and metal to weigh down the edges. This probably gives a 95% seal. The carrots have been totally free of carrot fly damage and the young cabbages only had minimal damage from flea beetles (I use the extra fine enviromesh). Cabbage whites don't stand a chance ;D! Also, slug damage has been minimal.

[asbean]

I don't think it's a waste of money.  I bought some, and put it over my cabbages and caulis.  It has been held down by old gas pipes and other bits of scrap heavy stuff.  We've actually been eating the produce, it's clean, no sign of cabbage white or any other nasties, and I've been confident enough to give a couple of cabbages away - I've always been too ashamed in the past, plus in the past we've thrown away more than we've eaten.  I'm going to get some more, because I've got more cabbage seedlings on the go for the winter.

[katynewbie]

 :-\

Don't worry about gaps...it's easy to fix. Carrier bags full of soil/weeds etc. Plentiful supply and totally free! Not pretty, but it does the job!

;)

[Lady of the Land]

I have bought enviromesh for first time this year and covered 2 large areas each 4m x 4m with cabbages, calabrese, Brussels, cauliflower, purple sprouting and lettuces planted in between. They are doing so well clean, large and no signs of any bugs.
I have used wooden posts 1.2m high and some metal poles that are taller for area where purple sprouting is.To cover top of posts so they do not rub on posts and poles have used those coloured plastic balls and made small hole in to fit over post. I bought 100 for about £10.00 but only needed 50 for my 2 areas - have actually seen these cheaper since about £6.00. I have used some pegs made from thickish green wire and then any bricks or metal poles as the allotments are quite exposed - so far no problems. The rain seems to go through the mesh - you can see through it so do not need to go inside area unless wanting to pick/weed or plant.

Have just picked large head of calabrese/broccoli

[grawrc]

I peg it down with u-shaped wire pegs or just cover the edges with soil. It really makes a difference to the quality of the produce provided you get it on right away before pests have a chance to notice what you've planted.

[tim]

I use the rather expensive trident pegs, but bent wire will work as well. Use heavy wire & a good 10" prong.

I lay it direct on the plants, but allow a good 2' all around for growth.

The makers say that you should not leave it on all season for fear of mould, but I always have done so.

[grawrc]

Me too Tim. I only lift it to dig up what's ready for eating or if the weeds get bad.

[veggie lover]

Do you not find that it weighs down the plants as it seems so heavy? I initially tried to lay in direct but it seemed to squash them too much??? Perhaps im being to picky in my inexperience! what do you think ???

[tim]

Know what you mean, Lover!

If you're worried, just a pot or bottle or stick here & there will take the strain off newly planted seedlings. When established, they can cope fine.

And, as opposed to fleece, it does not get heavy with rain.

But it is HELL to handle & store.

Weeds Anne? I do a clean up at least once in the season - weeds just love the environment!!

[shirlton]

I turned the long edges over and stitched along it . A bit awkward as the edged is overlocked but I make it just wide enough to get a cane in from both ends and then I secure these with tent pegs.I hold teh ends down with some old iron railings that we found, Tony has an idea that we are gonna try this week Will post a pic when its done

[tim]

Why iron railings when you use pegs elsewhere?

[asbean]

I found a roll of heavy gauge wire in the garage, cut it into lengths and bent it into semi-circle hoops.  Held in place with canes, it is well away from the plants.  :) :)

[shirlton]

Why iron railings when you use pegs elsewhere? Well Tim I dont know what size I want to cover so I roll the ends around the heavy iron railings Its easier

[tim]

Oh!

I don't do iron railings at my age!!

[shirlton]

My Tone handles mine. lol

[MrsKP]

Carrier bags full of soil/weeds etc. Plentiful supply and totally free! Not pretty, but it does the job!

;)

tell me about it !   ;D