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crop protection

Micheal TriplettMicheal Triplett Posts: 20
in Talkback

Hiya all has anyone used scaffolders debris netting for protecting crops from birds and cabbage White's?. If so does it stop much sunlight getting through to the crop?. Thanks. Mike

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Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    I have used something similar, butterfly netting from Amazon, I made a big walk in frame, it worked perfectly, but you do need to pin down the edges well the little watsits will get in the smallest gaps.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FruitcakeFruitcake Posts: 810

    I've got it over my brocoli and while it hadn't stopped the little blighters that are the cabbage white flies, I've not had any bird problems with it and the sun still gets through. mine is black if that's any help

  • JPCJPC Posts: 26

    I would be interested to know the best / cheapest places to buy the netting from or would it be Amazon

  • FruitcakeFruitcake Posts: 810

    I searched until my eyes bled and the cheapest I could find was on Amazon 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    For protection against butterflies, look for a maximum mesh size of 7mm as holes any larger and the Small Cabbage White will get through!  I bought some heavy duty butterfly netting from Harrod Horticultural 3 years ago and it hasn't yet started to deteriorate (a problem with some cheaper types as the UV in sunlight causes plastic to fall apart.)

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    We used debris netting over the soft fruit and the cabbages this year. We put it on after any pollinating insects had done their work and we had the heaviest soft fruit crops we have ever had. The mesh is too fine for the cabbage whites to lay their eggs through.
  • Micheal TriplettMicheal Triplett Posts: 20

    Thanks to everyone who replied to my question about debris netting. Found some on the web 2mtr x 50 mtr for £25 job done. Thanks again guys.  Mike

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Its no good just draping it over your crop, the butterfly will just sit on the mesh and lay eggs through it, you must make sure crop is well away from the mesh.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Micheal TriplettMicheal Triplett Posts: 20

    Yea. Lyn gonna make a framework out of  flexiballs off amazon . Thanks

  • Micheal TriplettMicheal Triplett Posts: 20

    Just like to say I only started gardening this year how addictive it is . Also only been a member of this site for a matter of weeks can't get over how friendly and helpful  everyone is. Once again thanks to everyone for their replies. Mike

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