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Fruit Cage??

GlenjjonesGlenjjones Posts: 141
in Fruit & veg
I have a small veg plot at the back of my garden, and I've got various soft fruit plants currently in pots (blueberry, gooseberry, loganberry, blackcurrant, strawberries, etc). I have a smallish area where I can create a raised bed, that I was thinking of turning into a fruit patch and building a fruit cage.
I was thinking to keep costs to a minimum, I could build a simple wooden frame and fix some fruit netting to it to keep the birds etc, out. 

Anyone done this before and can offer some advice or any tips?
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  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,526
    Here’s what I said on an earlier thread....

    Be very careful in your choice of netting. Make sure that it is visible to birds so that they don’t fly into it and get tangled in it. Black is bad. 

    Make sure that the holes in the netting are small enough to prevent a bird from putting its head through and being trapped or decapitated.

    I speak from experience.😢


    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 4,716
    I have made a frame from old fire guards which I will cover with a fine netting to prevent birds getting inside, thinking pea and bean netting? 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,964
    In addition to pf's advice above re. netting, it's also important to get netting that will allow pollinators through. I was wondering why my perpetual strawberries weren't appearing last year, then I realised the netting was too fine to let bees and the like through
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    there Is a netting called Aviary galvanised wire netting. Photo attached
  • GlenjjonesGlenjjones Posts: 141
    I hadn't thought of Galvanised mesh. What's the best sizes mesh for a fruit cage? what would you suggest to allow in the polinators but keep out the birds, etc?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,964
    There are lots of options on this site
    https://www.harrodhorticultural.com/garden-and-plant-netting-tcid27.html
    that will give you an idea of the best size mesh for your purpose. You don't need to buy from them.
    Do remember that you'll need to get in and out of the cage too if you're considering galvanised.
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GlenjjonesGlenjjones Posts: 141
    Thanks Pete.8,

    yes, must remember a door! :D 

    I can just imagine me building it and standing back to admire my work, only then realising that the fruit is safe from all takers, including me. :D 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,964
     :D 
    I have cages from Harrod with netting and it is a faff getting in and out. They do sell a zip for netting so I may try that.
    Good luck!
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,034
    I would use a mesh that's large enough to allow small birds in but small enough to keep out blackbirds. The tits and robins make short work of things like gooseberry sawfly larvae. I get a better crop with no netting thanks to the free pest control but the birds aren't so desperate for fruit around here it seems.
    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • GlenjjonesGlenjjones Posts: 141
    What size mesh would you suggest wild edges?
    do the small bird not eat your fruit?
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