I have a large fruit cage 6 metres by 6 meters. I have already bought the netting to cover it and wanted to ask as I have purchased a fine netting for birds not to get in should I leave a couple of sections loose so I can roll them up to allow bees in to pollinate. But then I can drop them when I leave the allotment so the birds don't get in.
I keep my currant bushes uncovered until the fruit start to ripen. That way pollinating insects do their business. And I can place rings of ant powder around the base of each plant, to prevent them from farming aphids on the bushes. Then I erect my fruit cage, which is a commercial one made from aluminium poles, rubber balls and netting.
You do have to make sure the nets are pinned down to the ground all the way round to prevent birds getting in. I have in the past found birds inside veggie netting, usually juveniles.
I like the idea of using plastic waste pipe too, probably for my brassica and strawberries. I can't seem to find anywhere on the Internet that sell the corner pieces, anyone got any suggestions? (Even looked into doing it in copper!)
'Gardening naturally' website (in which I have no commercial interest although I'm beginning to think they should make me an offer) sell the hoops, anchors, corners (various types) and poles separately (as well as nets) so you can buy bits you need to make what you want.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Hi, I'm a little late in setting up fruit cages. The grandchildrens trampoline got bent and damaged in high winds (hubby was warned to leave it where it was) So we have rescued the metal oblong frames and cemented them in the ground. Now the problem is to work out how much netting I'd need. It 3 Mtr long 1.6mtrs wide 2.3 mtrs high. Anyone fancy helping me out with the Maths? I've also got a small fruit cages 1mtr high 2.1 mtrs long by 1.4 wide. I shall attempt to work out myself but it would be nice to have second opinion.
Morning all. I'm new to the site, and very new to gardening. Love the idea of a cage to keep my plants safe, however how do you anchor it down if you're dealing with a patio garden?
I built a big fruit cage and planted it with bare root plants last early spring but most plants failed to thrive due to Chlorosis, because the soil is chalky and alkaline Treating with Epsom salts twice had disappointing results What plants would you recommend that would enjoy alkaline soul in a big fruit cage ? Plants that failed were raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries and gooseberries Thankyou for any help Alan
Unfortunately, most bush fruit prefers neutral to acid conditions. Have you tested your soil to see how alkaline it is? Adding a lot of animal manure will reduce the pH, but maybe not by enough to be of help... so @pansyface's suggestions of fruit trees (which you can buy on dwarfing rootstocks, "patio" varieties perhaps, so they would fit in your fruit cage) might be the best solution.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Many people grow blueberries successfully in containers, so that might be an option. Purpose built raised beds, with a suitable soil mix, could also be the solution for anything that can't tolerate alkalinity. The base would need to be solid enough to prevent the surrounding soil having an influence, but generally speaking, a decent layer of landscape fabric would probably do, as it would allow drainage without loss of the necessary soil.
It isn't possible to change the pH of soil long term, so it's about using plants that suit, or doing containers. Some won't mind the alkaline end of neutral, so it's worth checking the pH as @Liriodendron suggests, and proceeding from there
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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Not sure they'd agree.
However, I do.
I keep my currant bushes uncovered until the fruit start to ripen. That way pollinating insects do their business. And I can place rings of ant powder around the base of each plant, to prevent them from farming aphids on the bushes. Then I erect my fruit cage, which is a commercial one made from aluminium poles, rubber balls and netting.
You do have to make sure the nets are pinned down to the ground all the way round to prevent birds getting in. I have in the past found birds inside veggie netting, usually juveniles.
Hi all, first post!
I like the idea of using plastic waste pipe too, probably for my brassica and strawberries. I can't seem to find anywhere on the Internet that sell the corner pieces, anyone got any suggestions? (Even looked into doing it in copper!)
'Gardening naturally' website (in which I have no commercial interest although I'm beginning to think they should make me an offer) sell the hoops, anchors, corners (various types) and poles separately (as well as nets) so you can buy bits you need to make what you want.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Hi, I'm a little late in setting up fruit cages. The grandchildrens trampoline got bent and damaged in high winds (hubby was warned to leave it where it was) So we have rescued the metal oblong frames and cemented them in the ground. Now the problem is to work out how much netting I'd need. It 3 Mtr long 1.6mtrs wide 2.3 mtrs high. Anyone fancy helping me out with the Maths? I've also got a small fruit cages 1mtr high 2.1 mtrs long by 1.4 wide. I shall attempt to work out myself but it would be nice to have second opinion.
Morning all. I'm new to the site, and very new to gardening. Love the idea of a cage to keep my plants safe, however how do you anchor it down if you're dealing with a patio garden?
Treating with Epsom salts twice had disappointing results
What plants would you recommend that would enjoy alkaline soul in a big fruit cage ?
Plants that failed were raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries and gooseberries
Thankyou for any help
Alan
Purpose built raised beds, with a suitable soil mix, could also be the solution for anything that can't tolerate alkalinity. The base would need to be solid enough to prevent the surrounding soil having an influence, but generally speaking, a decent layer of landscape fabric would probably do, as it would allow drainage without loss of the necessary soil.
It isn't possible to change the pH of soil long term, so it's about using plants that suit, or doing containers. Some won't mind the alkaline end of neutral, so it's worth checking the pH as @Liriodendron suggests, and proceeding from there
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...