Protecting your garden from pests, birds, and harsh weather is essential for a thriving outdoor space. One of the most efficient ways to safeguard your plants is by covering your garden with netting. Whether you want to prevent birds from feasting on your fruits or shield delicate flowers from insects, garden netting offers a versatile solution. In this guide, we’ll explore how to cover your garden with netting effectively, ensuring your plants remain healthy and productive throughout the growing season.
This article will cover the types of garden netting, step-by-step installation methods, and tips for maintenance. By the end, you’ll have expert insights and actionable advice to protect your garden confidently.
Why Use Garden Netting?
Before diving into the installation process, it’s important to understand why garden netting is a smart choice:
- Protects plants from birds and pests: Netting creates a physical barrier that prevents birds and larger insects from damaging crops.
- Reduces crop loss: By minimizing pest interference, netting helps improve overall yield.
- Allows sunlight and water penetration: Unlike plastic covers, netting is breathable, ensuring plants get essential sunlight and moisture.
- Versatile and reusable: Different types of netting can be used seasonally and stored for future use.
Types of Garden Netting and Their Uses
Choosing the right netting depends on your garden’s needs. Here are common types:
1. Bird Netting
- Material: Lightweight, often polyethylene.
- Purpose: Keeps birds away from fruit trees, berry bushes, and vegetable patches.
- Mesh size: Typically 1/2 inch or smaller to block small birds.
2. Insect Netting (Insect Mesh)
- Material: Fine, dense mesh that excludes small insects.
- Purpose: Protects against aphids, whiteflies, and other pests.
- Mesh size: Usually 0.8 mm or less.
3. Shade Netting
- Material: Woven fabric with UV protection.
- Purpose: Shields plants from intense sunlight and heat.
- Mesh size: Varies, designed more for light filtration than pest control.
4. Deer and Rabbit Netting
- Material: Stronger, often plastic or metal mesh.
- Purpose: Keeps larger animals from entering the garden.
- Mesh size: Larger openings but sturdy enough to block animals.
How to Cover Your Garden With Netting: Step-by-Step Guide
Covering your garden with netting involves careful planning and installation. Follow these steps for optimal results:
Step 1: Measure Your Garden Area
- Accurately measure the length, width, and height of the plants or garden bed you want to cover.
- Allow extra length for securing edges and overlapping sections.
Step 2: Choose the Right Netting
- Select netting based on your target pests and environmental conditions (refer to the types above).
- Purchase netting from a reputable supplier to ensure durability.
Step 3: Prepare Support Structures
- Use stakes, poles, or hoops to create a frame over your garden.
- Common materials include bamboo poles, metal rods, or PVC pipes.
- The frame should be tall enough to avoid netting touching plants directly, preventing damage.
Step 4: Drape the Netting Over the Frame
- Unroll the netting and carefully cover the frame.
- Ensure full coverage without gaps where pests can enter.
- If covering rows, create tunnels by placing hoops at intervals and draping netting over them.
Step 5: Secure the Netting
- Use garden staples, clips, zip ties, or weights to fasten the netting to the ground and frame.
- Anchor edges firmly to prevent wind from lifting the net.
- Overlap netting sections by several inches and secure them to avoid gaps.
Step 6: Monitor and Maintain
- Regularly check for tears or holes and repair promptly.
- Remove netting during pollination if necessary, especially for fruiting plants that require insect pollinators.
- Store netting properly after the season to prolong lifespan.
Expert Tips for Effective Garden Netting Coverage
- Use lightweight netting over delicate plants to avoid bending or breaking stems.
- Avoid overly tight netting, which can stress plants and reduce air circulation.
- Combining netting with other pest control methods (like companion planting) enhances protection.
- Choose UV-resistant netting for longer outdoor durability.
- Label and color-code netting rolls if you use different types for various garden sections.
Real-World Example: Successful Netting in a Home Garden
Jane, a home gardener in Oregon, faced persistent bird attacks on her berry bushes every summer. After installing bird netting over a PVC hoop frame, she reported a 90% reduction in berry loss within the first season. Jane’s careful measurement and secure netting installation ensured no birds could access the fruit, while the breathable material allowed sunlight and rain to nourish her plants naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can garden netting prevent deer from eating plants?
A: Yes, but you’ll need stronger, larger mesh netting or a reinforced fence to effectively block deer.
Q2: How long can garden netting be left in place?
A: Depending on material quality, netting can last several growing seasons if stored properly during off-season.
Q3: Is netting safe for pollinators?
A: Fine insect netting can block pollinators, so remove it during flowering or use larger mesh sizes where pollination is needed.
Conclusion: Protect Your Garden with Smart Netting Choices
Covering your garden with netting is a proven, eco-friendly way to protect your plants from pests, birds, and environmental stressors. By selecting the right type of netting and following proper installation steps, you can significantly improve your garden’s health and yield. Remember to maintain your netting regularly and adapt your approach based on seasonal needs.
Start today by measuring your garden, choosing quality netting, and setting up a secure frame. Your plants will thank you with bountiful growth and vibrant blooms.
Take Action: Invest in durable garden netting and create a simple support structure this weekend—watch your garden flourish free from unwanted visitors!
