Growing Toms.. do i need netting to protect them?

[Terry1968]

Hi

whats the advantages of protecting my tomatoes that i aim to grow in growbags with netting?

i have 3 growbags in a row in an area of my garden that i have put a frame around and started to erect netting around it but this is very tedious and has taken me most of the day so far and i still havent completed it..

should i just disregard the netting and let them just grow freely of will there be obvious benefits to having the netting around my tomatoes..

my wife said that im wasting my time and should just let them grow without it

[veggiechicken]

Have a look at this Terry, it may give you some ideas. http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ess_60544.html

[Two_Sheds]

Terry, what are you hoping the netting will achieve ?



* confused

[SarrissUK]

I had a couple of big garden bags with tomatoes in them last year and there was no need for netting - great success

[Terry1968]

Terry, what are you hoping the netting will achieve ?



* confused

i thought they may be protected from birds etc?

i dont really know as im just a novice so its all new to me . sounds as if i may be wasting my time then ?

[Two_Sheds]

Birds don't eat tomatoes, no worries there

[Two_Sheds]

Tomato pests tend to be aphids and whitefly

Save your netting for your brassicas (butterflies, woodpigeons) and strawberries (blackbirds)

[Creemteez]

Please don't plant your tomatoes out yet, Terry! There is still a very strong possibility of frost which will kill them! Put them out (in their pots) during the day if it's sunny and you hav a corner that is sheltered from the cold wind, but bring them in at night till all risk of frost is past!

[Florence Fennel]

No need for nets for tomatoes Terry, just supports for the plants and as Teez says, don't put them outside just yet, it's too cold.

[binley100]

The only animal that my toms needed netting against was one of my dogs ........but as the others have said its far too cold to put them outside at the moment

[Terry1968]

Thanks for the replies people.i havent or dont intend to plant them out yet ive just been getting the area prepared for when the time comes..my plants are kept in the greenhouse and i have been getting them out in the sun during the day and putting them back at night.

i have 2 cats so maybe the netting will keep these away but im still undecided wether to do away with the netting altogether at the moment..

[Creemteez]

Honestly, Terry, I don't think netting is going to be of any help or use with tomatoes. The only thing you really have to worry about with outdoor tomatoes is blight, and there is no protecting against that - barring raising them in a greenhouse.
Forget about the netting. You are making work for yourself.

[taff]

seconded or thirded or however many 'ded...forget about the netting, you dont need it for toms, they only need support.
your cats are only likely to want to poo in the soil if your toms are going in the ground. If they're in growbags or pots, they'll probably leave them alone.
I can't remember the last time I saw a cat eating a tomato so I'd imagine they'll be quite safe from feline predators...

[Two_Sheds]

still undecided wether to do away with the netting .

Honestly, Terry, I don't think netting is going to be of any help or use

... but then he'd have to admit the wife was right

[chris]

I have to net/fence my tomatoes off from my chickens, they'll scoff ANYTHING. But then, that's their nature

Still as above, no need for the netting. Lay sticks on the ground between them if you're bothered about your cat digging up the ground between them.