Allotments 4 All

Does anyone know of a cheap source of netting suitable for onion fly control?

It's expensive here in Cornwall, and maybe upcountry it could be cheaper?

Peter

I'm also interested to hear thoughts on this ....

Having read something on here about using ikeas net curtains, I have bought 3 packs for £15 which I intend to stitch together to make a large cover for my onion bed this year.

A same size enviromesh-type cover would cost maybe £75 but if I were made of money that's what I'd buy as that stuff is pretty indestructible and I'm not sure about the ikea nets - but they are polyester so they shouldn't rot, just tear 

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10070262/

I suspect onion fly comes up from the ground though ...

I have bought Ikea nets for use on the allotment and they worked well but have never used them for onion fly protection. I have had a problem with leek moth and used the ikea nets and my leeks did very well.

duke

I also have used ikea nets on leeks to very good effect, a couple of years ago mine were the only decent ones on site.  They did blow off several times, but seems the flies do not like the wind.    I think the leeks liked it out of the wind underneath too.   Certainly best ever leeks.  No experience on onions either.

They are not long lasting and after three winters are rotting actually they are disintegrating.   So in the end they are probably not cheaper unless you take them in and keep them dry during the winter.  The voles also nibble through them which is a bind so they are certainly not protection against them.  But with your costings for enviromesh it will be about 15 years before I see a profit.

I like using the nets because they are very easy to drape over things and then move.  I simply draped over the leeks with no supports.   The leeks seemed happy enough to push the net up as it grew.

Hi all, last yr my Lottie nabour covered all the carrots with fleece tied it with string and stones around it I was there when she took it of to dig out the carrots they were massive and perfect I was quite jealous of them.