What needs netting?

[Derek]

The birds had a good go at the red currants last year so they are now well netted...
funnily enough they didn't go for the black currants...perhaps they couldn't see them so well hidden within the foliage.

Brassicas...pigeons love 'em..this year these two will be well and truly netted including pegging down well at ground level.. forgot that bit last year to my cost

Derek

[Derek]

[Columbus]

Hi Mac,

Last year pigeons or other birds stripped my caulis in less than a day after I took fleece off. I think they will eat any new soft growth they can get at. Don`t forget they will sit on top of netting to push it down so they can reach through it so it has to be well supported at the top and pegged to the ground at the bottom. I tie mine to long (horizontal) canes at the bottom and peg the cane and the net into the ground.

But.. slugs and snails will shelter where the net rests on the ground.

People here net raspberries. Some use net curtain for that, someone here said its very cheap from charity shops. I get net from bargain shops for a pound some people get bigger peices at car boot sales.

Col

[Berty]

On my plot you have to net everything you want to eat, except the spuds. If I don't there is a bird, bug or slug that will eat it before me. I have Partridge, Pheasant, Rabbits and Hares strolling around helping themselves to everything succulent...but not the weeds.

I still count myself fairly lucky. A friend of mine on the South coast has to contend with Badger rooting everything up on her allotment. I am not sure how you would keep them out. I am sure it would take more than a bit of netting!

I get my fleece and netting mail order from Kay's Horticultural [Google the name for the web site]. You have to buy in bulk but it is cheap as chips and comes in 4m wide which better for me than the 1.2 or 2m widths from garden centres.

[return of the mac]

Found this humming line stuff at that site (Kays). Anyone know if its any good?