How to Use Bird Netting for Garden
Planting flowers, fruits and vegetables is a great passion for people engaged in gardening. It is one of these people’s biggest hobbies to watch the beauty of their products after planting. Garden owners take care of their gardens and cannot afford even the slightest damage.
Sometimes, for some reason, the plants planted by the garden owners can be damaged. This is usually caused by animals, especially birds. It can be both discouraging and frustrating to find that a bird has taken over your garden when you arrive the next day after the plants have started to grow.
Of course, there are ways to prevent animals from harming plants in the garden. One of the most effective methods is using a garden net. Netting is a very advantageous solution for preventing birds for various reasons. It is possible to benefit from successful results thanks to the nets that prevent the entry of various insects as well as birds into the living area.
BIRD NETTING PURPOSES OF USE
For some animals, colorful gardens look like a table full of food, so they want to sit at that table and have a snack as soon as they see it. But garden owners get very angry about this situation. Especially in agricultural lands, netting is widely preferred to eliminate the effects of birds that damage crops. This situation, which prevents birds from landing on crops, ensures productivity. Moreover, it does not cause any harm to the birds in any way. This way, you can easily enjoy your garden that birds do not harm.
Bird netting, which is a favorite of gardening, greatly extends the life of plants when used correctly. Concerning bird netting, it’s useful to be educated on the most proficient method to pick the right netting, how to set it up securely and successfully. A few additional tips and deceives to make everything meet up without a hitch.
IS BIRD NETTING SAFE?
Some agriculturists are skeptical about the safety of bird nets. The reason for these concerns is that people once came across birds of prey caught in these files and snakes entangled in files. Although it is a bad situation, most of them are due to the wrong and careless establishment of these files. Therefore, learning how to set up a net and which method is good is useful. The real danger is that more extra file remains than usual at the ends of the farmland because some wild animals that can’t access plants turn to these nets.
BIRD NETTING FEATURES
. In order to be more useful and more quality, it should be made in the form of knots.
. The mesh spacing varies depending on the need.
. It should be resistant to wear due to sun and UV rays.
. The mounting apparatus should be carefully prepared, and the aim should be to increase durability.
. It should not cause any harm to the animals and should only be a physical barrier.
. In the use of bird netting, their size may vary depending on the application areas, and the dimensions should be such that they cover the garden.
. In order for bird nets to be resistant to some rot, they must have water and moisture absorption properties.
. When choosing the weaving frequency, you should not neglect to evaluate the animal’s size and characteristics. Otherwise, the results you will obtain will not be at satisfactory levels.
When all these features are evaluated, choosing a bird net will be very advantageous for gardeners. An option suitable for the usage area and best meets the needs will protect the gardeners from significant damage.
BEST CLUES TO KEEP BIRDS AWAY FROM YOUR GARDEN
1) Using Bird Nets Only In Certain Areas
Sometimes it can be beneficial to use the bird netting not to cover the whole garden but only to protect a part of it. This is because some birds do not harm plants but benefit and need to be around the garden. Some birds benefit your garden by eating insects that can harm your garden and its plants.
These beneficial birds are sparrows, bluebirds, cardinals, and grosbeaks. Other types of birds benefit by clearing weeds in your garden. For this reason, it is important for gardening to focus on the area needed when placing a bird net.
2)Getting Enough Netting
Measure the circumference of the area you want to protect when using a bird net. Considering the edges of the garden, a one-click large bird net can be preferred. Garden owners may need a few inches of extra bird net where the net meets the ground to secure it properly. You can use the excess networks to renew the obsolescence that may occur in the future.
3) It is Important to Buy a Quality Bird Net
Of course, not all bird nets used in the garden are of the same quality. If you choose the most resistant UV rays, bird nets will not fade in the sun. Generally, blackbird nets are more durable than green ones. But blackbird nets are slightly more expensive than green ones. In addition, bird nets are divided into soft ones and hard ones. You can choose the type of bird net depending on your purpose.
4) It Is Important To Use A Durable Frame
The frames you will use in the garden are everything that holds your bird net. For this, wooden stakes and strong, malleable wires are generally preferred in using frames. The frame’s quality, material, and durability are very important because the frame forms the basis of the bird net. The bird net does not weigh too much on its own, so buying a very heavy frame is no need.
5) Bird Net Weaving Frequency
Bird nets can be different weaving frequencies. Suitable dimensions for bird netting are 1/4 inch. Larger sizes may be useless. Large spacing can help keep birds out of the garden, but it can also harm birds. Some damage may occur if proper weaving density is not provided. For example, the bird’s body may not fit as its beak and head passes through the net. So birds can get stuck in the net.
6) It Is Important To Choose Secure Netting
It is important to ensure that the bird files are well secured to the garden. A loosely used net allows birds in and harms both plants and birds.
7)Leaving Enough Space
It can often be difficult to predict how large and bushy plants will grow. For this reason, the bird file should not prevent the plant’s growth. Some plants can even grow through the gaps, which can still damage the harvest. When choosing a bird net, it is useful to consider how much your plant will grow and make it 3-5 cm larger. This leaves a place for plants that grow more than expected.
WHEN TO INSTALL GARDEN NETTING
When it comes to gardening, of course, everything has its time. There is a certain time to sow seeds, irrigate, to fertilize. Usually, the birds will not arrive before the plants, fruits, and vegetables are ripe. Therefore, the best time to set up the net is after pollination.
GARDEN NETTING METHODS
There are many different ways to install a net, and each is effective for better protecting your garden. Agriculturists highly appreciate many different varieties.
1)Hooped Row Cover
It is one of the most widely used methods. Thick wire is used throughout your field or yard. These wires allow the arcs to be stronger. Then the net is covered over the arcs and fixed with a garden stake. This method is often used in dense plantings and large rows. With this method, removing the net and checking the products in general is also easy.
2) A-Frame Cover
Another option is using A-Frame Cover. Two sturdy posts are placed at both ends of the area that must be protected from animals. Then the net is covered over the area. Rods at both ends will keep the net high and away from animals. Make an A shape with the net, then scrape to hold the net in place. You can add another post for long areas to keep the net from sagging.
3.Multiple Post Cover
If there is enough space between the plants in the agricultural area, bamboo poles or sturdy sticks are fixed vertically between the plants. These posts should be about 2.5 feet tall, depending on the size of the plant being grown. Then small flower pots are placed on the top of the poles. These pots create a solid structure for the file. These pots prevent the net from slipping off the posts.
4)Use A Cloche
Cloche acts as a kind of file. However, this method usually only saves one or two plants. They are typically bell-shaped, with a wireframe. It is a very nice type of a net in terms of appearance. They can be carried easily and last for a long time.
5)Simple Cover
The file is spread over the garden like a simple cover with this method. This is also a commonly used method, but it is used only with garden fabric, not plastic net. It is important to use a special garden fabric. This file should be thin and light. This method prevents air circulation and the sun from reaching the plants when the plants are covered.
6)Protect Seeds with Netting
Sometimes the ripe and vivid colored flowers aren’t the only thing that attracts birds. Birds may want to make a short visit to the gardens before the plants appear. Sometimes the moment a seed is planted, the birds may want to crash on the seeds. Sometimes seeds can look just as interesting as flowering plants. Using garden fabric or a row cover is recommended to protect your seeds. A row mat is a mesh of fine material placed to protect seeds in the germination process.
The net, which is like a cover, has an important purpose. It helps retain moisture needed for germination. But this cover should be removed as soon as the seeds begin to germinate.
7) Large Net For Fruits
Fruits can be quite interesting for some animals because of their color. Since fruit trees can grow much more than other plants, the file should be such that it completely covers the tree. This netting method takes a little more effort, but you can completely protect your trees with this method.
A soft PVC and plastic net should be used in this method. A piece of PVC is passed through the middle of the tree and zipped to the top of the belts. Just in case, a little extra net is left at the bottom. The file is attached to a sturdy bar at the bottom to protect the edges. The net can be easily removed when wanted to harvest later.
8) Protect Seed Flats/Trays
Freshly sprouted plants in seedbeds are as attractive to birds as any other plant. If you do not want the harvest to be wasted, it is necessary to preserve these seeds. Seed trays are usually rectangular. A-frame should be made by taking thin pieces of lumber, cutting them a few inches larger than your seed tray,, and screwing them in. Then, a flexible wire is used to create arches across the frame. Holes are drilled at both ends of the frame, and the net is hung over these arches. Then the sides of the file are also stapled to the floor.
9)Store Netting
It is also useful to store the nets and the materials used for the frame as spares. No matter how durable the net is, it can be affected by weather conditions such as sun and wind. Therefore it can last longer if kept indoors as a spare. If the material of the frame is timber or piles, make sure it is well stored, or it may rot in the rain.
What About Scarecrows and Other Methods?
From the past to the present, many methods of protecting agricultural products from some animals have been used. Still, with the advancement of technology, new methods continue to be found. You can protect your field and garden from these animals with low cost and simple mechanisms that you can prepare under the conditions at home. These methods include installing balustrades, putting animal scarecrows on the field, hanging balloons, using shiny or reflective objects, wire mesh, and many more.
It is necessary to take certain precautions so that the fruits and vegetables that you have grown for a long time are not damaged by birds and other living things.
Sometimes the net method can be overwhelming, and gardeners turn to scarecrows. If you move the scarecrows regularly, it will work but never as efficiently as nets. Birds are smart animals; of course, they will notice that the human shape standing in the garden has not moved for days. If the scarecrows are to be used, those that move easily should be preferred, or the person working in the garden should move the scarecrows frequently.
But this method is definitely not as effective as files, but it might be fun to put a scarecrow in the garden for those who still want to try. Other methods include decoy owls, shiny streamers, shiny CDs, and plastic snakes. Just like the scarecrows, it will not be very effective when the birds understand that these objects do not move. Colored streamers and CDs show reflections of light when the sun hits that birds dislike. But these methods can be used in limited areas, and sometimes even the gardener can be disturbed, especially the light reflections.
In Conclusion
Bird nets are the most important and useful method of keeping birds and other animals out of your garden. If you set up your file carefully and properly, you will not have any problems. With good quality bird netting and properly fixed and sturdy frames, your fruits and vegetables are absolutely safe.
You can find the best method for your garden that will not harm animals and protect your fruits and vegetables. Take a step and use these nets to protect your garden and get a good harvest.