Netting windbreaks

[Edwardo82]

Dear all,

I have an exposed site where wind gusts off the fields and I want to create some protection for my veggies. Now I cannot afford fence panels but I have come across this windbreak netting.

Has anyone used this before and does it work?

It seems affordable and hopefully would do the job.

Thanks in advance to all

[PAULW]

You could try using debris netting this is usually binned at the end of a job so if there is any building work coming to an end near to you you could pop inand see the foreman and ask if you could have some, other than that it is sold on the internet auction site.

[carlseawolf]

I've just put a 3' high debris netting fence around 2 beds for that very reason.

[Edwardo82]

Thanks guys I will keep an eye out for this.

[Twinkle]

another vote for debris netting here - bought a 50x1 metre roll for 40 euro (about 36 quid) but use it for a windbreak, but also pest-protection when used with wire hoops like a kind of net cloche.
And it lasts forever.

[snohare]

Windbreak netting works wonderfully, I have used it in a vegetable garden in Strathdon at about 2000 feet, on a hilly, very exposed site, and it fairly did the job, once it was finally properly secured without me doing a Mary Poppins clutching onto it ! The secret however is, make sure it is fastened to something really really secure, or it will just rip off. A thin strip of wood attached to a post with the materiel sandwiched in between works very well.
As with any windbreak, the shelter is ten time the height of the barrier, take a line from the top of the barrier to the ground ten times the height away, and that is where you get the protection.

[4Shoes]

Working within the theory 1m gives 10m protection, then for a 10m x 25m Area, it would be better to run 2 or 3 wind breaks in parallel (5m apart) perpendicular to prevailing wind direction. That will ensure minimum of 0.5m protection. Then using debris netting to protect Carrots and brassicas, etc from pests (2 x 2.5m wide x 10m / bed) you just need to close off ends of plots.

I have a Veg plot in the middle of a field. Plan is to have an orchard along one side, with Chicken Runs along the other. (out with the veg plot) This last year, the wind damage has been particularly bad, so looking at what needs to be done over winter to help protect the veg.

Thinking of a "bird friendly" hedge to be planted between orchard and veg plot, but that will take a few years to give ant protection, so Willow may be a faster solution.

Would you use fencing posts, with top and bottom (and perhaps middle) wire to hold the netting for 1st few years, or just screw battens down each post?

[snohare]

I would use battens rather than wire, no doubt at all.
The problem with using wires is that you have to attach the debris netting to them; normally you would use stapling rings (aka Gordian Rings) to attach wire netting to your tension wires, and that works fine because they are both of similar materiels. However if you try to attach debris netting or anything similar to tension wires doing that, the materiel stretches and frays, bellies out, and eventually rips around the strain points.
Much easier to just use battens. Tip: screw the screws right through the wood until the tips are just showing, pull the netting taut with one hand while pushing the batten (hard) against the post. If you do that, the screws should hold the netting tight while you screw them further into the post. It's a job done most tidily by two people - one tensioning, the other fixing - but you can do it alone.
You can also use boards along top and bottom to fix the netting, that works well, but you have to use something like slater's nails (the short, broad headed galvanised ones) or polypropylene pallet wrap tape to attach the netting, and it's harder to tension.
Last but not least, if you situate it downwind of your bonfire site, you will regret it when you see the holes that appear from the windborne sparks...

[veggiechicken]

Snohare!!! How are you, young man?
I haven't a clue about netting windbreaks but just wanted to say how happy I am to see Snohare again

[Snoop Puss]

^^^^
Ditto!

[4Shoes]

Good Tip that about the screws

Going to have to give this more thought. Might have to combine with Rabbit and chicken defences. Perhaps with electric wire to keep Mr Fox away.

[snohare]

Oh, I'm all the better for being called a "young man," thank you Veggie! I'm a rather grey-haired one nowadays...
( Though if 4shoes has foxes, I'll bet that gives more grey hairs than an Aberdeenshire summit... )
Ironically enough, my problem nowadays is slugs... I hoped that removing my windbreak would dry out the soil and fend 'em off - but alas! Against slugs there's "no de-fence".

[lottie dolly]

Where have you been hiding fella,long time no see on here,hope U OK

[4Shoes]

Not seen many grey hares yet, but we had March hares in February
Must be the fox keeping them down.

The cunning plan for the slugs is a few ducks but going to be this coming spring until housing in place.

Been ages since I've been past Lumphanan, but hopping to get to Foggie early next week. We took the road from Huntly over to Braemar then down the Spittle of Glenshee last time