psb and pigeons

[captainhastings]

How much damage can the pigeons actually do ? I have all mine netted up and they are enormous and pushing up against the netting.
Now the threat of butterflies has passed I would love to uncover them so I can see them better and give them a bit of freedom. But wouldn't want to lose them at this stage as they are my pride and joy

[rustylady]

Pigeons can and will destroy your cherished PSB. Raise the netting but don't take it off.

[captainhastings]

Ok thank you I will leave it on. Plan it better next year too bigger netting pens with better access

[hellybore]

That sounds wise, Captain. Last year my PSB were stripped to the stalks by pigeons. This year mine are also getting squashed by the netting, I also need to plan taller!

[Two_Sheds]

they are enormous and pushing up against the netting.

The pigeons will peck at them through the netting, and crash-landing on the netting to do so will damage the plants.

Pop some canes under the nets, with old pop bottles on the canes, to raise the netting up

[captainhastings]

yes I am constantly raising it once they are done I will measure them so next year I can make a tidy cage from the word go to fit

[Two_Sheds]

I will measure them so next year I can make a tidy cage from the word go

Don't measure the plants, measure yourself, because you're going to have to get in the cage to do weeding, and you won't enjoy doing that on your hands & knees, commando style

[Alison]

Pigeon damage will vary, I don't find any problems over winter but they do love the tender shoots in spring but elsewhere it will be different. I put enviromesh over mine when I first plant out to avoid the caterpillars but before the snow I lift it off and leave it as be before netting again in spring. Have used coarser net over winter before that can cope with the snow but it's not really necessary on my plot. I tend to have my cages about 4' high ish. To make them tall enough that I could walk in would use a ridiculous about of net, cost a fortune and be much more difficult to support as I'd need over 22' by 16' for each of the brassica beds and that isn't going to happen. I find it much easier to just lift one side and lean in, works really well for me but we all differ.

[captainhastings]

My thoughts too Alison but next year instead of two rows I will do one and be able to go higher. As for the snow that is going to be an issue for me so I will be keeping an eye on the weather

[Snadger]

You seem to have enough debri netting to construct a walk in fruit cage type thingy?

I'm in a simlar predicament but haven't got enough netting..............yet!

Walk in cages are the way to go!

[Vince G]

cages around 4ft6in feet in height are ideal for brassicas in my opinion. OK I have an advantage as I am only 5ft3in anyway so getting in to pick/weed is easy, but having previously used self-built wooden cages about 6ft tall which have to stand in the worst of the autumn/winter winds and weather, the slightly lower ones are less susceptible to damage.......as I found out a fortnight ago.

[bazzaboy]

Don't measure the plants, measure yourself, because you're going to have to get in the cage to do weeding, and you won't enjoy doing that on your hands & knees, commando style

Walk in cages are the way to go!

Couldn't agree more... even more this year as tried growing some of the odder brassicas including Walking Sticks (still growing...) and "Paul and Becky's Asturian Tree Cabbage" (from Real Seeds). One long-lasting answer if you don't mind some expense is the much advertised "WonderWall" - still pondering... I don't understand why it has to be such a lurid green, asked the inventor/MD who replied tests showed that was the most successful colour for growth (though black-netted fruit cages don't seem disadvantageous...). Discussion on this topic see
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...all_63047.html

[Alison]

cages around 4ft6in feet in height are ideal for brassicas in my opinion. OK I have an advantage as I am only 5ft3in anyway so getting in to pick/weed is easy, but having previously used self-built wooden cages about 6ft tall which have to stand in the worst of the autumn/winter winds and weather, the slightly lower ones are less susceptible to damage.......as I found out a fortnight ago.

I agree that this is a good height even though I'm 8" taller than you