Lettuce protection

[mikon_warrior]

Hi there, Today i have been given a few lettuce plants to put on the allotment, i have put them in the GH untill i have created their home. He said i will need to protect them from the pigeons etc and to create a netting frame to put over them - has anyone got any good advice on how to make a decent one??? not sure weather to use net, wire etc...
thanks
Sarah

[Alison]

I find that slugs are more of a problem that pigeons.

[mikon_warrior]

eek, i had not thought of that one.....

[fiveravens]

I make my cages from ash (hazel would be equally good) branches. Bend them into a semi-circle and push the ends in. A little trial and error will show you how thick the branches should be, but about as thick as my little finger does the job for me. I place them about 2' apart and they support mesh perfectly. I never bother to protect lettuces, but I do have to net summer and winter cabbages against butterflies.

[Stacey Steve]

See if you can get any old metal framed tables, you know the ones they use in schools and canteens. Take the top off and you have a perfect frame for cable tying netting to. Use a fine mesh for things that don't need pollinating. Fruit cage netting, I find that butterflies can still get through.
To do the weeding, just lift the frames off and put them back afterwards.

[JO,JO]

had mine under mini polytunnels in the raised beds,have now taken it off but might be putting it back on due to ensuing slugs me thinks.

[Two_Sheds]

Slugs will get in your polytunnels - they dig under the soil. The warm moist atmosphere of a polytunnel will actually attract more of them, sorry