Netting protection

[Andrea G]

I am fed up caring for my veg for several months only to see them decimated in a short space of time by hungry insects. So...........I have invested in some fine netting protection which I plan to use primarily to protect my broad beans which were covered in blackfly last year. BUT - when do I need to put the netting up? We have quite a few trees in our garden which reduces the light somewhat so I don't want to put netting up too early & deny the plants even more light. Also - I bought a gooseberry bush last year which was eaten in 24 hours by (I assume) sawfly. This has recovered this year and already has healthy leaves all over - when should I net this to stop infestation again?

[Two_Sheds]

Netting won't stop blackflies, they're tiny

With broad beans, you need to squish the flies as they appear to control the population, also try pinching off the soft top growth of the beans when you first see the black bean aphid

[Two_Sheds]

gooseberry bush ... sawfly.. when should I net this to stop infestation again?

It's a horrible pest, I've never managed to pick a gooseberry. Try a search for sawfly, there're quite a few older threads. Here's one to get you started: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...fly_32551.html

[iGrowVeg]

I use enviromesh covered cloches which I have on my raised beds all year unless I'm growing peas or beans. Broad beans shouldn't be covered when they are flowering so that they can be pollinated by bees and insects, unfortunately this is the time when the blackfly strike, however if you catch it quick by checking your plants daily and do as per Two Shed's advice, your crop should be ok. I always have blackfly on mine but just squish and squish to get rid.

[Florence Fennel]

Yep, squishing definitely the way with bored beans.