Build a ball question veg protection

[andy armitage]

Hi all I don't know if this is the right section but Linda wants to sort out some protection for strawberries brassicas etc and she was thinking of buying build a ball then using bamboo canes and netting is this the best way of doing it the balls are £12 for 12 is this expensive or are there cheaper ways of doing it, any ideas much appreciated.
thanks
andy

[shirlthegirl43]

I have read of people buying balls for kids ball pools and using those in the same way as build-a-balls. Don't know how well it works but think it would be cheaper

[PAULW]

I built my first brassica cage using plastic bottles and canes worked quite well

[Hans Mum]

I have read of people buying balls for kids ball pools and using those in the same way as build-a-balls. Don't know how well it works but think it would be cheaper

i use these you can pick them up cheaply at car boots etc, just put a couple of holes where you need them, dont know if they last as long as the 'proper' ones but the last lot i got cost a quid for a black bag full of balls, so i use them as cane toppers as well

[Potter]

Hi,
I got some of the build-a-balls for Christmas, they are good.....and not so good! Firstly I had real problems constructing a cage for my gooseberries. The principle is sound and when I first tested some cane in the balls I found it was quite secure. However, the canes are all different thicknesses and some will not fit in the balls and some fall straight out again. With a bit of all-weather tape around the canes though I could get most of them to stay put. It was awkward to construct, but actually now it's up with netting over it is pretty secure and I think looks good too.

[kernowyon]

use cheap tennis balls from the pound shop etc, they grip the canes well, you just have to be a bit careful punching holes in them. trust me i know

[allotmentlady]

Just purchased a 6x4 build a ball with enviromesh for 21.00, its brilliant,.

[greenstar]

Allotment lady - where did you get that bargain? I've just been looking online and started to feel a bit faint when they were asking over £50 for quite a small cage.

[JennieAtkinson]

I have used them quite successfully for strawberries Andy. Although expensive, I;m on my fourth year with them. They really don't get damaged. I did do tennis balls one year on another part of the veg plot, but they didn't last the season.

For strawberries i just use canes about 2 foot high and that seems to work very well. Any higher and the structure gets a bit too heavy for the wind up here, but you might have a more sheltered spot.

[HeyWayne]

What does Wimbledon do with all the balls after the tournament?

[Pootle]

I've just used some old ball pool balls to net over some of our new seeds - it all looks very jolly down at the plot now!

But, having cut holes to poke the stick in I'm not sure if you would be able to use them if you want to put cross members in too without reinforcing the balls with a bit of tape...

It does look good though and much neater than plastic bottles (can you tell that I'm quite pleased with myself?)

[Cutecumber]

I've struggled with my build-a-balls - because of the differing cane sizes Potter mentions above.

My solution has been to use aluminium rods instead. They are not expensive and have a constant thickness. I used a pipe cutter to cut them to the right length.

[NOG]

Where did you get the Ali Rods from.

[Potter]

I've looked around for the metal rods too. I don't mind paying for them as I know they'll last and do the business, but haven't been able to find them so far. I did find these Panda Stix the recycled plastic rot-proof plant support but haven't met anyone who has used them and if they're bendy etc. (plus the cost - not worked out in my head if they're pricey or good value?? Panda Stix special offers direct from the manufacturer).

[new2growing]

Where do you get them from?

Can't seem to find 'build a ball' in any local shops, only online. Any ideas?