Enviromesh

[rary]

I have a quantity of enviromesh and would like to know what you think is the best way to use it, should I make tunnels with it or simply spread it over the ground just like using fleece. There is no problem with the tunnels as I have everything that is required for making several of them, but was wondering if there is any benefit of making them

[Mr Bones]

I use it so it doesn't touch the crops which prevents critters laying their eggs through the mesh and avoids abrasion damage.
Have also found the edges need pinning down well or burying to stop things crawling under.

[Scarlet]

I'd go with tunnels if you can make them...straight sided ones are even better for stuff like sprouting broccoli

[Jungle Jane]

It would be easier to manage the crops if you have tunnels,if it's laid over the top it will need bricks or something holding it down & then I would have to make sure there's a gap for growth so the plants don't press against it. I used some last year over a bucket of swede,with sticks added next to the stems so the mesh didn't rest on the plant. Could foxes,cats or pigeons walk all over it if it's low down? My cat did when I covered my bare looking but garlic filled raised bed,I knew he'd been there because he left me a little gift on top

[lottie dolly]

Deffinatly the walk in cage,

[Bigmallly]

Movable rectangular cages for me.

[johnjohn]

^^^Same for me, I have a wooden cage made from roofing battens with enviromesh stapled to the frame. Use it for my carrots.

[rary]

Thanks for the replies, it would seem that a tunnel would be the best, but I will need to think on what LD said and consider a walk in tunnel I have more than enough mesh to make some, as for the cages I think I will try that on the smaller beds my main bed is 14ft. x 6ft a bit big of easy handling, so something to think about

[Snadger]

Deffinatly the walk in cage,

You would need a second mortgage to buy enough to cover a walk in cage!

[Snadger]

I only use enviromesh for carrots. A cage at least two foot high to clear the foliage and four foot wide to make it manageable suits me.

Other brassica cages are covered with debri netting to keep costs down.

[burnie]

There's a tougher grade of fleece that local farmers use for organic Swedes grown round here, it's just laid on the ground and the crops lift it up it grows. I've seen people underneath pulling weeds without it ripping and I passed a field today that for the most part still looked to be covered. Going to see if I can scrounge a bit from one of them for a trial on my brassicas.

[rary]

^^^^^^^Thats the stuff I have 12sqr. meters of it

[KevinM67]

Ideal for net curtains I believe.

[vixylix]

maybe you could make some kitchen cupboards Rary - save you a few £££

[rary]

Oh that hurt, was away spending money on a new kitchen today