debris netting and cages

[oldie]

I am planning to build some cages to go over my raised beds. These are mainly 6ftx3ft and I have 12 of them. I was thinking of making some with fleece covering and some with enviromesh but I see that builders debris netting is much cheaper. I am wondering if the debris netting will be fine enough to keep out carrot root fly and also how high would you recommend building these cages? I'll be growing a general mix of veg. and thought of a half tall brussels sprouts as it is a very windy spot.

[kitchengardner]

I am planning to build some cages to go over my raised beds. These are mainly 6ftx3ft and I have 12 of them. I was thinking of making some with fleece covering and some with enviromesh but I see that builders debris netting is much cheaper. I am wondering if the debris netting will be fine enough to keep out carrot root fly and also how high would you recommend building these cages? I'll be growing a general mix of veg. and thought of a half tall brussels sprouts as it is a very windy spot.

I have 4ft wide beds and use hoops over these that are 3ft high in the middle. This works for most plants except the taller brassicas (eg brussels, sprouting brocolli) and climbing beans.

I use fleece in winter/early spring over most crops and use fleece as a barrier (ie windbreak style) around my carrots in summer, but keep my brassicas under environmesh all year round. Unfortunately the builder's debris netting is not fine enough to stop carrot fly or cabbage whites. However it is useful to stop birds getting at your crops

Hope this helps

Kitchen Gardener

[Stacey Steve]

I use debris netting and the mesh is pretty fine, see my reply on "Attaching fleece and/or polythene to blue water pipe"

It keeps out just about all flying insects, so obviously cannot be used where plants needs insect germination.

[Snadger]

I have some green debris netting but at present only use it as a windbreak. I have always thought it would exclude too much light for optimum growth if used over the top of plants? Could be wrong though!

[PAULW]

There are a couple of people using debris netting cages on our site with much success what miniscule light loss you get is made up for with the micro-climate they produce protecting the veg from wind and frost.

[BrideXIII]

I have saved all my old viole curtains, for making cages for the spring, i have the piping all set for the frames, just need to figure out how to bodge it all together, but i figure the more i can get under cover the better.

[Snadger]

I have saved all my old viole curtains, for making cages for the spring, i have the piping all set for the frames, just need to figure out how to bodge it all together, but i figure the more i can get under cover the better.

Buy a cheap pack of tennis balls or plastic coloured balls for kids. These can be used on all the junctions of pipes simply by puncturing the ball and sticking the pipe into it!

[Hans Mum]

Buy a cheap pack of tennis balls or plastic coloured balls for kids. These can be used on all the junctions of pipes simply by puncturing the ball and sticking the pipe into it!

thats what ive used... picked up a huge bag full on the car boot for a quidalso good as cane toppers so you dont take your eye out

[BrideXIII]

Buy a cheap pack of tennis balls or plastic coloured balls for kids. These can be used on all the junctions of pipes simply by puncturing the ball and sticking the pipe into it!

son2 says you are a genius. son1 reckons it will create chaos cos the dog thinks all things tennis ball shaped are his.

I'm with son2 on this.

[Two_Sheds]

I bought debris netting last year and it has been brilliant* ... I would go for 3m wide (2m is just not wide enough, so I've had to sew it together).

I've got it pegged down with tent pegs (£1.80 for ten, from my local indie hardware store). I need to check it constantly as our site is so windy. It's worked better than fleece or voile though.

It totally keeps the pigeons off, but you need to suspend it above the plants, or the birds will just land on top and peck through. I had much less caterpillar damage than normal, although a few will always get in - you need to be vigilant

It doesn't keep aphids or whitefly out ...


* you need to watch out for gaps ... the cabbage whites will crawl under any little gap, including the holes that are along the edges of the net. Sew them up with that nylon invisible thread, or fine fishing line (ordinary sewing cotton will just snap)