Protection or prevention?

[leicestershirelass]

This year, to protect our veg plot from (some) plant eating invaders we replaced the mesh fencing around it with 2' 6" high corrugated metal sheets (left over from another project).

Is it a coincidence that our veg plants have failed to thrive or could it be that there has not been sufficient light at the early stages to encourage growth? We've had very disappointing results this year even taking into account the weather.

Your feedback / advice would be very much appreciated.

[Snadger]

I have tin sheeting along a north facing fence but can only grow soft fruit there. I wouldn't dream of trying to grow veg within six foot of it as it is just too shady.

[rustylady]

[COLOR="darkslategray"]This year, to protect our veg plot from (some) plant eating invaders we replaced the mesh fencing around it with 2' 6" high corrugated metal sheets (left over from another project)

How big is your plot?

[leicestershirelass]

Approx 15' x 40', give or take a few ins.

[Potstubsdustbins]

In all honesty I cannot see a fence of 2`6" high making much difference on your plot.

I have veg in a bed on the north side of a 4` high fence and have no problem. I would start to consider other things like soil fertility etc. It shouldn't be the weather as we don't live that far from each other.

Colin

[binley100]

the plots at our lottie all have their own hedge around them and a lot also have wibbly tin sheeting as well to try and keep out the wabbits . Nobody seems to have a problem growing but I s'pose it depends how close to the sheeting you are planting ...

[Two_Sheds]

I have tin sheeting along a north facing fence but can only grow soft fruit there. I wouldn't dream of trying to grow veg within six foot of it as it is just too shady.

I had that corrugated tin stuff on my old plot. It wasn't a problem on most of it, but on the south end it did cast deep permanent shade and I could only grow comfrey & grasses

[leicestershirelass]

I had that corrugated tin stuff on my old plot. It wasn't a problem on most of it, but on the south end it did cast deep permanent shade and I could only grow comfrey & grasses

Ours is at the top end of our plot - that's south facing!! Maybe we need to remove corrugated sheets and substitute with wire mesh next year. I'm sure OH will be able to recycle the sheeting elsewhere.

Also think some (abt 20%) of the soil may need a bit more tlc as we only 'reclaimed' it this year and maybe didn't give it sufficient compost etc.

Many thanks for your thoughts and advice .... fingers crossed for more success with this area of our plot next year.

[Florence Fennel]

Hope you have better luck next year lass when you have changed the fencing and fed the soil.

[Two_Sheds]

Ours is at the top end of our plot - that's south facing!!

If the plot is south facing, that's good. My tin was at the south end, which made the patch in front of it north facing (and shady)

[Potstubsdustbins]

If the tin is only 2`6" high as stated the shadow cast which ever side it is on will be negligible even on the short side of the plot which is 15` long. I would concentrate on getting some goodness into the ground.

Colin

[leicestershirelass]

Thanks again for your advice, it's very much appreciated. We've just added a couple more compost bins so hopefully will generate sufficient to boost this area of ground.