Enviromesh

[Sue]

I was "unprotected" last summer and the pigeons, the slugs and the flea beetles all did their worst.
Now I have put 24 metres of Enviromesh on my Christmas list, and it's going to cost £80! (From Harrods Horticultural, the only place I can find that sells it by the metre.)

Is there an alternative? I've wondered about butter muslin which would have a much shorter life but could be composted. I also found a very large plain net curtain in Oxfam, wouldn't this work as well?

It's not just the money, it's the thought of buying yet another non biodegradable product for the allotment, I didn't realise when I started that so much plastic was involved. Some of its been recycled ie trugs and compost bins and water butts, but there will be the fruit cage netting, can't find non-plastic anywhere, fleece etc.
Sue

[Beryl]

Enviromesh

Try N.A. Kay's Horticultural Products for something cheaper. (Mail order)
www.kaysdiscountgarden.co.uk
Tel: 01946 692134 for a catalogue.
Sundays only - 07903 998110

Horticultural Fleece is another alternative - again I can recommend Kay's.
They stock an exstensive range of most gardening products.

Regards
Beryl.

[Snadger]

Funnily enough I've wondered about using 'net' curtains as they are no longer in vogue and can be picked up for coppers at car boot sales etc. Worth a try methinks.
I also plan to get enviromesh for my carrots but be aware that your soil will have harmful grubs in it now, by putting enviromesh over it without sterilizing it in some way you will be trapping the bugs in.

As an example, the allotment holder next to me grew his carrots all season under enviromesh. He is digging carrots now with the tell tale marks of the carrot fly grub only on the very bottom. Both he and I think this is because there were grubs deep in the soil before he covered it!

Just another thing to bear in mind!

[Sue]

Snadger
That's great news thankyou! As the allotment was a tangle of couch grass, bind weed, docks and dandelions when I got it, I suspect you are quite right, I shall have problems for quite a while
But at least I could keep the pigeons off and keep off the slugs out on a day trip
best wishes
Sue

[jlottie]

Hi Sue

I have problems with pigeons and have used fleece which works quite well, apart from a couple of local cats who hide underneath trying to catch the birds. When I have small seedlings in my plot is covered with CD's and silver foil hanging from sticks. I think the light reflected does help to deter them. I was thinking of using net curtains for my carrots too.

jl

[Snadger]

Hi Sue

I have problems with pigeons and have used fleece which works quite well, apart from a couple of local cats who hide underneath trying to catch the birds. When I have small seedlings in my plot is covered with CD's and silver foil hanging from sticks. I think the light reflected does help to deter them. I was thinking of using net curtains for my carrots too.

jl

I found the old CD trick only worked for a while, until they got used to them. I now use netting as I tried fleece and the birds just pecked holes in it!

[Beryl]

I don't want to discourage you but I think net curtains on carrots would not be a good idea. When wet they would weigh heavy and I am not sure if the curtaining is fine enough. The fly lays its eggs on the soil level it would have to be very surely pegged.

Net curtains are very effective on fruit bushes though.

[Sue]

Beryl
Couldn't find enviromesh on the Kays website but their new catalogue arrived today and find they call it something entirely different. Looks like I will have to fork out for it after all and reserve my net curtain for the fruit bushes. It is a very fine net, but I can see what you say about it getting very heavy in the rain.
Had a fine time today weeding under the fleece and picking all the tiny slugs off my plants.
best wishes
Sue

[nick the grief]

I found the old CD trick only worked for a while, until they got used to them. I now use netting as I tried fleece and the birds just pecked holes in it!

Try Des O'Connor cd's ..... frighten anything