Sagging veg cage

[CarolineSonning]

I have just started gardening and so when I created my veg patch I built a cage around it (loads of rabbits, dear and pigeons here ).

However the snow fall last night was pretty heavy and all my netting is sagging and ripping under the weight. OH and I were up there knocking the show off but repairs will be required when it warms up a bit.

Can anyone advise me of how to construct the roof netting to ease this problem next year?

[shirlthegirl43]

What a brilliant idea to keep the pests out! Does it keep insects out too?

My only suggestion would be to make the 'roof' removeable and leave it off in winter so it can't collect the snow.

[sewer rat]

Other than making the roof removable, the only other thing i can suggest is that you prop it up further in the centre to give the "roof" as pronounced a pitch as possible. But even then, if you get snow like you have had in your photos, it'll still lie on the netting, but at least with more temporary props you should be able to stop it sagging and therefore ripping under the weight of the snow.

[CarolineSonning]

It keeps most of the insects out - well the big ones ie butterflies, I only had to catch 3 or 4 all summer. Talking of which does anyone know if they still sell those kiddies butterfly nets?

[CarolineSonning]

Other than making the roof removable, the only other thing i can suggest is that you prop it up further in the centre to give the "roof" as pronounced a pitch as possible. But even then, if you get snow like you have had in your photos, it'll still lie on the netting, but at least with more temporary props you should be able to stop it sagging and therefore ripping under the weight of the snow.

I was a bit restricted with height due to the length of the posts. But I guess temporary posts don't need to be dug in . Otherwise I will have to devise an easy way of removing and replacing the netting

[NOG]

(loads of rabbits, dear and pigeons here ).

Can anyone advise me of how to construct the roof netting to ease this problem next year?

You only need to roof to stop the birds. from your picture your roof netting looks too fine it only needs to be 50mm square, unless you are growing fruit.

Birds will be able to get through 50mm but are too frightned to cos they cant easily fly away if attacked.

[CarolineSonning]

You only need to roof to stop the birds. from your picture your roof netting looks too fine it only needs to be 50mm square, unless you are growing fruit.

Birds will be able to get through 50mm but are too frightned to cos they cant easily fly away if attacked.

NOG I put the same butterfly netting all over - was that wrong? If I increase the size of the top netting won't I get a problem with butterflies? Or is that the compromise I have to make?

[*Feather*]

Butterflies

NOG I put the same butterfly netting all over - was that wrong? If I increase the size of the top netting won't I get a problem with butterflies? Or is that the compromise I have to make?

Probably a silly question but... what's wrong with butterflies? Why are they a problem?

[CarolineSonning]

Probably a silly question but... what's wrong with butterflies? Why are they a problem?

Don't they produce caterpillars who then eat all your brassicas?

[*Feather*]

Of course... doh!

[NOG]

NOG I put the same butterfly netting all over - was that wrong? If I increase the size of the top netting won't I get a problem with butterflies? Or is that the compromise I have to make?

I doubt you will see many butterflys in February. In winter it is better to put bigger mesh netting on so that the snow goes through it. too fine a mesh and it settles and it all comes down. In the spring then put your butterfly netting over the top of the big mesh and take it off in the autumn.
The biger mesh will act as a support.

[vicki lorraine]

We are still picking catterpillars off our cabbages. And last weekend (the one when it was hot and sunny) we spotted several butterflies.
Havent picked over the cabbages in last few days - thought the 6" of snow might do the trick.!

[cheshire61]

where can you buy the netting looked everwhere

[CarolineSonning]

where can you buy the netting looked everwhere

cheshire61 I got mine on-line from a company call AllPlas www.allplas.co.uk.

[CarolineSonning]

I doubt you will see many butterflys in February. In winter it is better to put bigger mesh netting on so that the snow goes through it. too fine a mesh and it settles and it all comes down. In the spring then put your butterfly netting over the top of the big mesh and take it off in the autumn.
The biger mesh will act as a support.

Thanks for this NOG I'll rebuild like this ready for next winter (though we'll probably not get snow again for years )