When is it best to start netting veg?

[Nicky]

I've got tiny little seedlings of spinach and other brassicas. I've planted them direct as I didn't have much luck getting them to grow in the greenhouse - they were targeted and all munched by the slugs as soon as they were about 1cm high. Is it best to net them as soon as they come up of can I leave them a bit longer?

[TEB]

I would net immediately especially if you have pigeons in the area.

[Cutecumber]

yep, I agree.

If you've got netting, put it on. It won't hurt, so you may as well get it in place unless there's a reason that you can't.

[Flummery]

However, net doesn't keep slugs off! I net brassicas because of pigeons and also to stop cabbage white butterflies laying on my leaves. You will still need to use some slug control. Net as soon as you plant.

[Alice]

I would net as soon as you plant to keep pigeons off - to stop blackbirds howking in it and cat cats off. And watch out for the slugs and snails.

[Mrs Dobby]

We net as soon as we plant, didnt with the first batch of lettuce, and it was nibbled away to a stem by pigeons within 12 hours! Brassicas were netted upon planting too!

[cheshire61]

net them quickly my neighbour on my allotment did'nt and all the pigeons left him where stalks

[rustylady]

Protect asap. An alternative to netting is fleece.

[Sue]

Hi
My dwarf french beans are under water bottle cloches, on Sunday with the wind and the rain, one blew off and I didn't notice till I saw a large number of pigeons flapping about, went to investigate and found one chewed dwarf french bean in a matter of minutes. they must have had spies out.
My plot's beginning to look like one of those wrapped art works by Christo, fleece and environmesh everywhere. I went for the aesthetic green and beautiful look last year and lost a lot of fruit and veg. This year it's cover up time.
Sue

[Snadger]

I have to agree that netting is not very aesthetically pleasing but neither is bare earth after the miriad of pests have munched your crops.

This is my first season on my new allotment and inkeeping with the Potager theme of decorative beds of veg, I am going to have to devise an architecturally 'pleasing to the eye' netting system for next year.

Anyone got any photo's of aesthetically pleasing netting supports I can plagiarise? (swallowed a dictionary for breakfast this morning! )

[vicki lorraine]

Ive even netted the cold frame for when its open to prevent any cabbage white getting in. Turned my back for an hour or two last year and next time i checked the cabbage seedlings were just stalks.

[TEB]

If you want LOTS of sarcastic comments, put tennis balls on the top of the canes aka the big dig. I have and it has provided endless amusements for the "got nothing better to do brigade" was going to dab them with bits of luminous paint but thought that might attract the moths

[Snadger]

If you want LOTS of sarcastic comments, put tennis balls on the top of the canes aka the big dig. I have and it has provided endless amusements for the "got nothing better to do brigade" was going to dab them with bits of luminous paint but thought that might attract the moths

Paint them like 'smilies', especially the one with the sticky out tongue!

[wheatleys wheels]

If the slugs and snails are getting to your crops you can always try a few methods without using slug pellets. Try a ring of salt around the patch you want to protect (dont think it should be done too close to the plant tho as some plants dont like salt). Use a beer trap, or place crushed egg shells around all your crops. The snails cant get across them due to the sharp edges. I personally go for the egg shells but if things get dire I do the ring of salt. The salt does kill them by drying them out quickly but it saves the vegetables. Also means that it doesn't poison any hedgehogs looking for dinner if they were to eat the dead slug.

Hope this helps as I dont think the netting would keep the slugs and snails out.

[Flummery]

Apart from asparagus I don't think any plant we grow for food likes salt WW. OK maybe samphire but people collect it rather than grow it I think. The Romans used to salt the fields to punish rebellious tribes because it would be several years before they could grow anything again. I wouldn't use it myself but if you do, use it with discretion.