Sounds like a plan! Let’s get this long-form article whipped up for you. Here’s a casual guide on using garden netting to keep those pesky critters away, aiming for that sweet spot in the search engine results.
How to Use Garden Netting for Pest Control
So, you’re pouring your heart and soul (and probably a good amount of sweat) into your garden. You’ve got those little seedlings popping up, maybe some juicy tomatoes starting to blush, and then BAM! You notice it. A leaf that looks like it’s been used as a tiny all-you-can-eat buffet. Or maybe your prize-winning broccoli suddenly has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese. Pests. They’re the uninvited guests to every gardener’s party.
Now, you could go down the route of sprays and powders, but maybe you’re looking for something a bit more natural, something that doesn’t involve covering your precious plants in chemicals. That’s where garden netting comes in. Think of it as a bodyguard for your veggies and fruits, a physical barrier that says, “Nope, not today, bug!”
What Exactly Is Garden Netting?
Basically, it’s a mesh material that comes in different sizes and weaves. Some are super fine to keep out even tiny insects, while others have larger holes to deter birds or larger critters. You can find it made from different materials too, like plastic, nylon, or even metal. It usually comes in rolls or sometimes as pre-made covers.
Why Bother with Netting Anyway?
Good question! Here’s the lowdown on why throwing some netting over your plants can be a game-changer:
It’s a Physical Barrier:
This is the most obvious benefit. Netting creates a wall that many pests simply can’t get through. No landing strips for those flying insects, no easy munching for the crawlers.
If you’re trying to avoid pesticides, netting is a fantastic option. You’re protecting your plants without introducing any synthetic chemicals into your garden ecosystem.
Depending on the mesh size, you can keep out a range of unwanted visitors, from tiny aphids to cabbage white butterflies laying their hungry caterpillars. You can even deter birds from pecking at your berries!
While it’s not its main purpose, netting can offer a little bit of shade on scorching days and might even provide a slight buffer against wind.
Good quality netting can last for several seasons if you take care of it. That makes it a pretty cost-effective pest control solution in the long run.
Choosing the Right Netting for the Job
Not all netting is created equal. You’ll want to consider what you’re trying to protect against when making your choice:
Fine Mesh Netting:
This is your go-to for keeping out small insects like aphids, whiteflies, flea beetles, and carrot rust flies. The holes are tiny, so they create a really tight barrier.
This has slightly larger holes and is great for things like cabbage white butterflies, larger caterpillars, and some flying beetles. It still keeps out a good range of pests while allowing for good airflow.
This has much larger holes, big enough to let beneficial insects in but small enough to stop birds from swooping down and eating your fruits or newly sown seeds.
This is usually a much heavier-duty netting with larger openings, designed to create a physical barrier against larger animals. We’re focusing on insect and bird pests here, but it’s good to know these options exist!
How to Actually Use Garden Netting Like a Pro
Okay, you’ve got your netting. Now what? Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting it set up effectively:
1. Identify What You Need to Protect:
Are you trying to safeguard a whole row of vegetables, a fruit bush, or just a few individual plants? This will help you determine how much netting you need and the best way to support it.
2. Choose Your Support System:
Netting needs a framework to sit on top of. You’ve got a few options here:
3. Erect Your Support Structure:
Get your hoops or stakes firmly in the ground around the plants you want to protect. Make sure they’re tall enough so that the netting won’t be resting directly on your plants, as this can still allow pests to feed through the mesh. For taller plants, you’ll obviously need taller supports.
4. Drape and Secure the Netting:
Carefully unroll your netting and drape it over your support structure. You want to make sure it completely encloses the plants you’re protecting, with no gaps for pests to sneak through.
5. Secure the Edges:
This is crucial! If there are any openings at the bottom or sides, pests will find their way in. You can secure the edges by:
6. Allow for Plant Growth:
Make sure you’ve left enough slack in the netting so that your plants can grow upwards without being restricted. You might need to adjust the netting or the support structure as your plants get bigger.
7. Consider Access for Pollination (If Needed):
If you’re protecting plants that rely on pollinators like bees (think squash, cucumbers, fruit trees), you might need to temporarily remove the netting when the plants are flowering to allow access for pollination. You can then put it back on once the flowers have been pollinated and fruit is starting to develop. For self-pollinating plants like tomatoes and peppers, this isn’t usually an issue.
8. Inspect Regularly:
Keep an eye on your netting to make sure it’s still secure and hasn’t been damaged. Also, check underneath the netting occasionally to make sure no pests have managed to get trapped inside.
Extra Tips for Netting Success
Clean Your Netting: At the end of the season, or if it gets dirty, you can wash your netting with mild soap and water, then let it dry thoroughly before storing it. This helps prevent the spread of diseases.
Conclusion
Garden netting is a simple yet incredibly effective way to protect your precious plants from a wide range of pests without resorting to harsh chemicals. By understanding the different types of netting and how to install it properly, you can create a safe haven for your vegetables, fruits, and flowers, leading to healthier plants and more bountiful harvests. So go ahead, give your garden the bodyguard it deserves!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I leave garden netting on year-round?
It depends on the type of netting and your climate. Some heavier-duty netting can withstand year-round conditions, but finer, more delicate netting might degrade in harsh weather. It’s generally a good idea to remove netting at the end of the growing season, clean it, and store it properly to prolong its life.
2. Will netting stop all pests?
While netting is very effective, no method is foolproof. Some very small insects might still find their way through tiny gaps, especially if the netting isn’t perfectly sealed. However, it significantly reduces pest pressure and protects against the majority of common garden pests.
3. How do I water plants that are covered with netting?
You can usually water right through the netting! The water will seep through the mesh to reach the soil. For heavier watering, or if you want to apply liquid fertilizer directly to the leaves, you might need to temporarily lift a section of the netting.
4. Can beneficial insects get through the netting?
This depends on the mesh size. Finer mesh will exclude most insects, both good and bad. If you’re relying on pollinators, you might need to remove the netting during flowering. Standard insect netting with slightly larger holes can often allow smaller beneficial insects like lacewings and some parasitic wasps to pass through while still blocking larger pests.
5. What if a pest gets trapped inside the netting?
It’s a good idea to inspect under the netting occasionally. If you find a pest trapped inside, you can simply remove the netting temporarily and let it escape or gently remove it yourself. Ensuring the netting is well-sealed will minimize this issue.
How to use garden netting for pest control