Large fruit cage advice.

[The Griff]

Not sure wether this should be in fruit section or allotment section.
I am sick of having to cover my fruit up during picking season so the birds don't get.
The last couple of years I have covered my strawberry beds with a diy wooden frame with a net on it that lifts off to pick the fruit. My currents and blueberries have also had a makeshift net thrown over them that was a nightmare to get on and off. My cabbage and other veg were getting eaten by pigeons so I had to make another make do frame that was arkward to get on and off to harvest and weed between.

This year I am going to make a 10m x 4m walk in cage. I am going to make it from 2"x2" treated wood and cover the inside floor with landscape fabric and plant my fruit through it (except my blueberries which will be in containers of ericatious compost).

This should cut down the amount of weeding and save time as well and if the full frame has a net over it life will be much easier not having to lift a net up and peg it back down again.

I will need a net 15m x 10m to cover it in one that will keep out birds but let bees and suchlike in, so probably about 25mm mesh.
Not sure wether to buy a few smaller nets to cover it and cable tie it on or wether to go for one big heavy duty net and do it all in one.

Any thoughts on best way to do it and more importantly can anyone recommend a type of net and where to get it from, I want a good net that will keep its shape off the roll and will last a few years, not a cheap type like Wilkos sell that 4m shrinks to 1m as soon as it's not under tension.

Thanks in advance for any help

[Owamya]

Hello Griff, I put scaffold netting around the outside and a wider mesh over the top supported with roofing lath as it's pretty cheap and treated. The reason for scaffolding net is a couple of sparrows got caught in it.

[The Griff]

Hello Griff, I put scaffold netting around the outside and a wider mesh over the top supported with roofing lath as it's pretty cheap and treated. The reason for scaffolding net is a couple of sparrows got caught in it.

Thanks for quick reply, does scaffold netting not give too much shading or is it ok when it's stretched, might be a cheaper option for the 2 long sides and do the 2 ends and roof in a wider mesh to let bees in.

[veggiechicken]

I have raspberries in a debris netted tunnel. No problems with pollination or shading.

[Bigmallly]

I bought this stuff for the roof of the pond cage & would highly recommend it. just staple it to the timbers, it has a good strecth & should be perfect for your needs.........plus, it's an excellent price.


Yuzet Anti Bird Netting Crop Veg Plant Protection Fruit Fish Pond Net Mesh | eBay