Allotments 4 All

Hi All, here's what might be a dim question.

I've never used enviromesh before but was thinking of doing so next year, laid loose over low crops but attached to a frame for taller ones.

But then I got to thinking. If it's designed to keep out all sort of pests, how do you avoid them getting in when it comes to weeding? I read on a retailers on line site you should weed when its 'cool and breezy' which is all very well except where I live we had weeks on end of blazing hot weather this year at the same time such pests were prevalent and the weeds rampant despite the heat and total lack of rain. Plus the fact I'm not likely to be hanging around waiting for the weather to change just to do it. The same site also suggested burying the edges in the soil to anchor it so I assume whoever wrote the description doesn't do weeding?

So, with that in mind and the fact it seems you daren't leave even the slightest gap where they can get in (if the retail blurb is to be believed), is it worth the time, effort and outlay as opposed to the effect pests have on crops without it (I know the initial expense is a one-off spread over the following years)?

I'd welcome any comments with thanks.

Absolutely worth it. I could not grow a single carrot without it. I don't bury my mesh into ground. I just make sure there is plenty of spare and weigh the 'hem' down with old bricks..just few dotted around.
As for weeding..when I start weeding my carrots, I bruise some chives or few green bits of onion..trying to 'mask' the smell of the carrot and I only unveil small part of the rows at one time....saying that this summer I did loose my patience..ripped the whole lot up..did the job and put them mesh back down. And I didn't have any problems with carrot fly.
I don't think there is such a thing as 100% proof against pest..we are just trying keep the majority away.. ;)

Welcome to A4A muddymeldrew.

Anything that prevents a problem you might have is worth it if you get a crop you would lose otherwise.

However it is only suitable for certain crops such as carrots and brassicas which do not need pollination.

I use it only on carrots - the fly is a serious issue on our site if you like to grow a carrot or two.  I am not overly pedantic about the odd gap or digging it in but I wouldn't get a single carrot with out mesh or some sort of barrier..

Quote from: goodlife on November 04, 2011, 17:20:36
Absolutely worth it. I could not grow a single carrot without it. I don't bury my mesh into ground. I just make sure there is plenty of spare and weigh the 'hem' down with old bricks..just few dotted around.
As for weeding..when I start weeding my carrots, I bruise some chives or few green bits of onion..trying to 'mask' the smell of the carrot and I only unveil small part of the rows at one time....saying that this summer I did loose my patience..ripped the whole lot up..did the job and put them mesh back down. And I didn't have any problems with carrot fly.
I don't think there is such a thing as 100% proof against pest..we are just trying keep the majority away.. ;)

What she says!! ;D ;D

It's expensive stuff but I bought a huge roll about 8 years ago (because it was cheaper per length to buy a bigger roll) and cut lengths for all my brassica and root beds allowing for the different heights of the various crops. I'm still using it all now. If it gets really mucky I just stick it in the WM. I have different lengths of blue piping to support it and bung bricks on the edges to keep it in place.

Welcome to A4a by the way!

I wouldn't grow carrots , onions, garlic or leeks without it Mine goes into the washing machine too.

Why not prepare a carrot bed(without any seed)and cover with enviromesh and leave for say 3-6-9-12 months??? weeding as needed till weed free then sow your carrot seed

Its the carrot fly I am protecting against not the weed. Weed seeds can live in the ground for years so stopping the seed from going on it for a year won't help.
I try to keep the space as weed free as possible during the time when the pests are not so prevailent. I have never had infected carrots or onions since I used enviromesh. During the summer I do use fine net curtain if I run out of the mesh when there is less chance of the weather ripping it
I have had mine about 7 years now and it still good.

Ive always thought enviromesh was expensive compared to debris netting, which works just as well and is much cheaper.

I have thought about the use of debris netting for use against carrot fly but haven't got round to it yet.  My debris netting is looking a little worse for wear these days and I guess I worry that the holes are big enough to let the fly through.  Debris netting is much easier to attach to a frame though..

Okay, I'm convinced re enviromesh. I shall now use all replies in evidence for my wife when it comes to paying for it.

Many thanks.

I grow carrots in compost in two glass fibre baths, with debris netting tents on the top, ive never had carrot fly.

Quote from: lincsyokel2 on November 05, 2011, 12:48:12
I grow carrots in compost in two glass fibre baths, with debris netting tents on the top, ive never had carrot fly.

Could be to do with the height you're growing at rather than the mesh?

I also grow smashing early carrots in old bathtubs filled with sieved soil/sand /old growbags with enviromesh supported with hoops of water pipe (pushed over lengths of bamboo canes rammed into the ground) Not a trace of fly damage and ... you can even sit on the edge of the bath to sow the seeds and pull the little beauties out of the soil at harvest time.

Sorry to hijack this thread with a question, but it is on the subject.....
Should I cover my onions with enviromesh then?  I didn't realise this, and what about garlic and leeks?
Ruth  :)

In some areas Leek moth start to be quite problem..so thats why people use the mesh for them. Generally you should not need to cover any of your 'oniony' crops.. ;)

I've just dug up some leeks... and although they looked good they all had the grubs in them... so I'll be netting them next year...  :-[

A couple of points:

1. We believe that Debris Netting is no guard against Carrot Fly.  A deterrent perhaps?

2. Environmesh -

  a. Some is finer (against such as Flea Beetle) than others.

  b. Some is MUCH softer & easier to handle.

  c. The stiff stuff is a pain to store. The other is not a lot better!!

Whenever I use enviromesh I get better crops (free from insect damage) but it's a pain in the neck lifting it to weed and, as Tim has pointed out, it is a pain to store too. One good thing, however, is that it seems to be mouseproof, whereas they love nesting in the stored fleece.

We grow much of our veg inside environmesh walls, topped with fine nets. Provides a sheltered environment that brings many things to maturity early, and protects against cabbage whites etc.
Carrots are just grown inside walls, without any top on, and for last two years have proved excellent against the fly.
Debris netting is OK, but the mesh is not really proof against very small pests
. A cheap substitute for environmesh is plain net curtaining, although it obviously needs more support. IKEA sell a pack of two big curtains at a silly price, people who have bought them say they are good for at least 3 seasons.