Plant protection

[w33blegurl]

Hi All

Prompted by my cats digging in my veg patch and leavingpoop everywhere I think its time to build some sort of netted protection - not only to keep them off but also to keep the evil cabbage white out (I lost my entire calabrese crop to caterpillers last year...). Am thinking some sort of structure covered in enviromesh. I had been looking at the build-a-ball cages (using canes rather than buying the aluminium supports) but wondered if people had any other recommendations or experience of this system.

It needs to be something I can easily disassemble and store (the cats wont dig where the plants are established I have discovered) when not needed, but be sturdy enough to last out where I do need something a bit more permanent (ie over the raspberries).

Any suggestions gratefully received!
Cheers!

[Jenegade]

I know what you mean, I had to put netting over my patch when my neighbours cat started using it! I'd only just finished digging it over once and it had started digging it up to use as a giant litter tray!!

Anyway, I've put bamboo canes along the edges of the beds with little flower pots on top and then draped netting over that. Weighed down the edges of the netting with stones and pegged in some places with tent pegs.

[Duronal]

you could use blue MDPE pipe to create hoops for a tunnel cloche structure. If you were to tie canes as supports between the hoops the structure should be strong enough to withstand being high enough for the broccoli.

Many people at my lottie use timber to create a rasberry cage, otherwise you could try find an old tent at a car boot and use the frame covered in mesh.



I guess it really depends how adventurous you're feeling.

[Alice]

I do mine like this. The "goalpost" supports are plastic piping from B&Q - very cheap - and the angles are made with the corner pieces that go with the piping. It can then be covered with netting, fleece , polythene or whatever you need. Very light and easy to erect and dismantle. Hope this helps.

[w33blegurl]

Thanks for those ideas, none of them look like they need too much DIY-ing which is good!! Might have to get myself down to B&Q to see what I can get my hands on.

Cheers once again!
Julia