Simple barrier

[Fred Perry]

Prepared a raised bed, placed potted peas in bed. Made a 3ft frame with
1"x 1"x 4ft wooden stakes then strung the stakes in all directions. Surrounded frame with fleece and top cover with fleece secured by drawing pins.

When peas matured, took fleece top off then a few weeks later reduced sides to half hight.
This kept the birds off and gave an exellent early crop concidering I live on the North East coast.
I am going to try this next year for Carrots as companion planting with Onions, Marigolds and Shallots did'nt do so well.
All the best to all
Fred Perry ;D;

[Sue]

Fred
That sounds like a good idea. I was trying to be green and all winter saved twiggy sticks for my peas - and guess what, they all snapped and the peas fell over making them a devils own job to pick and looked a right mess.

Will take myself in hand and put your idea to work
best wishes
Sue

[Shelle]

What variety of peas were they? Always interested in fellow tynesiders crops to find out what works best in the cold and windy weather we have!

It was my first year so having a lousy summer didnt exactly help! Growing 90% of my veg in containers, with some sucess. Potatoes were good (Kestrel), radishes especially good (sparkler) and a degree of sucess with carrots - they were mini carrots but untouched by carrot fly so I am proud of that

Next year I intend to grow more potatoes (but hope to try 3 new varieties this time), and will add to this years sucess with peas and sweetcorn.

(Incidentally I am from South Shields but now live in Cramlington!)

[Snadger]

(Incidentally I am from South Shields but now live in Cramlington!)

The place is alive with sand dancers!