Hello Bunkie 'n Daisy-- Sorry not to get back here sooner, but I have been away. Now...the plactic craberry juice bottles (ocean spray) are on top of the Tonkin sticks (bamboo sticks) so that the rough bamboo won't poke holes in or tear the enviromesh (it's too expensive to be cavalier with). I did indeed span twine in-between the poles. This time I used a continuous piece and wound it around the plastic bottle and did a little "knot thing" to hold it in the groove of the plastic bottles. If I use wide posts, then I do not use bottles and I do indeed wind the twine around the tops of the posts. I clipped the enviromesh to the twine just like miss Daisy thought (she's a smart cookie, isn't she). Sometimes I do not use tonkin sticks or posts...but rather hoops made of hollow, plastic electrical tubing. This works well too. The enviromesh is not cut or sewn to a shape (like skirting sewn onto some duvets or quilts) that has creases on the sides--I just throw the enviromesh over the top of the construction and then it simply falls over the twine and just looks as if the enviromesh has sewn sides. I personally do not simply lie the enviromesh on top of the veg and leave it for a couple of reasons: The wind could blow it off. Also with rain and hail the weight could break the leaves/stems or bruise the veg heads--both could lead to rotting. I also like having the enviromesh not in direct contact with the leaves of the plants because I do not want to take the chance that some kind of butterfly with a narrow abdomen or another insect that lays tiny eggs could still have success laying miniscule eggs throgh the meshing and onto a leaf what was pushing against the it. I mean the mesh would keep the whole insect out of the enclosure alright but some eggs are extremely small. I have the tendency of leaving very little to chance...as little as possible. The "frames" are easily and quickly made. Those aphids and worms can really be a pain. I do not have them anymore with the enviromesh, but I used to be bothered with them and would spray them with green soap and water if the broccoli or cauliflowers were not quite large enough to be picked...but if they were harvested and I saw aphids or worms on the veg--I simply soaked them in salty water for 30 min and the salt in the water made the little beasts turn loose and come out of the florets in no time. Then I could pour them down the drain and wash the veg off and continue with cooking or processing to freeze. I hope these comments help a bit. Protection really is better than having to try and get rid of pests. Sometimes the battle is lost before one begins to respond. Butterfly larvae, aphids and white flies are my biggest problem...but there are other things that I must guard against as well.
great information sjoerd! thank you so much! i was just going to try laying the enviromesh over the plants, but your thoughts on hail, bugs laying eggs, etc... really make a lot of sense. i shall form a framework too. btw, i ordered it online and they confirmed my order but never asked me to pay or hot to pay for it???! i called them this morning and they confirmed my confirmation and got my card number and all. so, it should be here soon. hope so, cause i'm putting out the cole crops today!
I would wait to put them out, Bunkie...because if you put them out before the mesh is used...it may be like closing the barn door once the stock has already escaped, if you take my meaning. The pests could come...then you would enviromesh them in and it would be like a fox in the henhouse thing, right? I forgot to mention, but I am sure that you realise that securing the bottom of the net is quite important. It doesn't do any good to protect the top and then let the pests in down low. If there is an entrance, they will find it. You really do need to be meticulous with secureing the bottom, whichever way you choose.
i think i'll cover the plants with my reemay till the enviromesh comes. sjoerd, what size bamboo sticks did you use?
I think that the diameter would be about as thick as a thumb and then about 4 ft. Tall, or so. If you use bottles, then the bamboo will need to be such that it will fit into the opening of the bottle. If you go the route of poles, then bottles aren't really necessary unless the wooden poles are broken on top. The bottles are strictly for protection of the enviromesh. The remay cloth should work just fine until the enviromesh arrives, so long as the bottom is snug against the ground. I like them longer than I need so that I can sink them deep enough into the ground to make them stable.
Very helpful thread, guys. I planned out my little plot today. I think I have too many plants. Oh no, more digging. I keep thinking "Next year will be easier..." I think I will order some of the mesh to cover my broccoli, caulis and brussels sprouts. I hope they sell a small amount of it for my small space.
That's great that it has been helpful to you Daisy. The enviromesh comes in several dimentions...but a piece that is too bis is better than one that is too small. chuckle. I sometimes use it for little patches --like for carrots where I only use the half of it. I just fold the excess up intop a ball and put a brick on it to keep it all tidy.
The garden is looking good and your balcony sounds like my front deck. I do a lot of "thinking" there too. Thanks for the information about the Enviromesh. I will be looking for it. Good luck with the brassicas.
Thanks GG. I hope they make it ok--it's so cold here at the moment. Burrrr. I hope that you can find the enviromesh, it sure is helpful to me. It is so good to see you back.
daisy, the link i posted is the only source i found in the USA. i've been looking for one since the first time sjoerd and i talked about it. seems it's real popular and originated in Europe and there abouts. hard to find here, so far. i've been checking to see when they have shipped my order for it, and finally called them, 800 number) last night. even tho the shop was closed for the day, they have a guy who answers the calls and takes your message, no machine. i liked that personal touch!
You can cut it smaller...but if you do, I would advise you to buy some edging and sew that over the cut end so that it would not tear or ravel. Of course you could fold the enviromesh over on itself a couple of times and sew a seam in that. The stuff is like plastic window screening.
yay! it arrived yesterday morning! it is like plastic window screen. hubby's making some sticks for me and i'll be putting it over the plants today... good question daisy. glad you mentioned it fraying sjoerd and how to stop it. isn't this interesting... Rhizobium Infection http://fromseedtotable.blogspot.com/201 ... o+Table%29
I am thrilled about the arrival of the enviromesh. Great news! Now the fun begins. I hope that you get good protection for your plants now, Bunkie. That is interesting that you posted this link. I had heard about this for years and years, but once I decided to have a look for myself. Then back in 2008, I even wrote a little piece on the nodules on here. Have you read this: http://www.gardenstew.com/about12191.html Mother Nature has all manner of tricks up her sleeves, doesn't she?
