How to Choose the Garden Netting
Everything You Need To Know Before Choosing Garden Netting
Gardening proves to be a satisfying and enriching pastime; nonetheless, it presents its own set of difficulties. Among the most prevalent challenges encountered by gardeners is the persistent menace of pests and wildlife wreaking havoc on their cherished plants and crops. This is precisely where the utility of garden netting becomes apparent. Garden netting serves as a versatile and highly efficient resource, aiding in the safeguarding of your plants and the assurance of a productive harvest. In the ensuing text, we will delve into the advantages of utilizing garden netting and explore its applications in protecting your garden.
What is Garden Netting?
Garden netting serves as a protective barrier, warding off garden pests while allowing essential airflow and sunlight to reach plants, ensuring their healthy growth. Engaging in gardening is a deeply satisfying pursuit, as you witness the entire lifecycle of your plants, from their humble beginnings to full maturity, culminating in a bountiful harvest.
Is Garden Netting Necessary?
Garden netting can offer advantages in specific situations, but its necessity hinges on a range of factors. Here are some factors to consider when determining its suitability:
- Pest Management: Garden netting serves as a protective shield against pests such as birds, rabbits, squirrels, and insects. If your local area has a notable pest issue, deploying netting can effectively safeguard your crops from harm.
- Plant Protection: Netting provides a barrier against harsh weather conditions, including strong winds, heavy rain, and hail, shielding your plants from potential damage. It also offers shade for delicate plants that are susceptible to direct sunlight.
- Crop Support: Certain plants, like climbing vegetables or fruit trees, may necessitate support for proper growth. Garden netting can function as a trellis or support structure, facilitating vertical growth and optimizing garden space.
- Disease Prevention: Garden netting forms a physical barrier that obstructs the transmission of diseases carried by insects or other animals. This is especially valuable if your garden has a history of recurring plant diseases.
- Aesthetic Enhancement: Beyond its functional benefits, garden netting can enhance the visual appeal of your garden. It can be employed to create visually pleasing structures or introduce decorative elements that enhance the overall aesthetic.
What Are the Different Types of Garden Netting?
Garden nettings are classified based on their ability to ward off specific types of pests. In this categorization, we can identify various types of nettings suitable for gardens:
- Insect Netting:
Insect nettings are designed with fine mesh holes that allow proper airflow and sunlight penetration while effectively preventing insects from infiltrating. There are two primary subtypes of insect nettings: fine mesh and ultra-fine mesh. The choice between these two depends on the specific insects you want to keep out. Ultra-fine mesh is ideal for deterring pests like onion flies and carrot flies, while fine mesh is effective against insects such as Pieris rapae. Similar to insect nettings, there are butterfly nettings designed to keep butterflies at bay, ensuring that your plant beds remain free from their larvae. Butterfly nettings typically feature wider mesh openings compared to insect nettings. - Deer Netting:
When your garden faces threats from larger four-legged creatures like deer, the goal is not to make the mesh finer but to make it sturdy enough to deter them. Deer nettings are essentially perimeter fences erected to prevent deer from entering the garden. It's crucial to ensure that these fences are sufficiently high to discourage deer from attempting to scale them. - Rabbit Netting:
Rabbit nettings serve a similar purpose to deer nettings by keeping out four-legged pests. However, rabbit nettings are usually buried underground to prevent rabbits from burrowing underneath and gaining access. The mesh size of rabbit nettings is typically smaller than that of deer nettings. - Bird Netting:
When your garden faces threats from avian creatures soaring in the sky, bird nettings come to the rescue. Bird nettings are among the most commonly used by gardeners to protect their crops from birds, especially fruit-eating species. The size of the mesh in bird nettings should be chosen based on the types of birds that pose a threat to your produce.
Things To Consider Before Buying Garden Nettings
To guarantee that your garden is protected from pests, it's essential to consider several key factors when selecting the most appropriate netting. By taking these factors into account, you can be confident that your plants will remain safe.
Material Choice
Once you've determined the type of netting required for your garden, the next step is to carefully evaluate the material used in its construction. The choice of material significantly impacts the net's performance and longevity. Insect nets are typically crafted from either polypropylene or polyethylene, both having their unique characteristics. Polyethylene is known for its flexibility, while polypropylene offers greater resistance. It's crucial to assess their ability to withstand adverse weather conditions before making your selection.
For deer nettings, the two primary materials used are galvanized steel and polypropylene. If opting for galvanized steel, ensure it has a PVC coating, as this significantly prolongs its lifespan compared to uncoated options.
Dimension Assessment
Before purchasing any netting, it's imperative to accurately measure the area you intend to protect. Correctly measure the length and width to avoid leaving any parts of your garden vulnerable. When selecting a deer netting, pay attention to its height to ensure it will stand at least 2 meters tall after installation.
Furthermore, consider the weight of the net, particularly if you plan to cover your plants directly without a supporting frame. A heavy net can exert downward pressure on your plants, resulting in damage or loss.
Ease of Installation
Ease of installation is another crucial factor to consider when making your purchase. Look for nets that come with installation materials and clear instructions included in the package. Additionally, ensure that the net can be easily trimmed to your desired size if necessary.
By carefully considering these factors, you can confidently choose the most suitable netting for your garden, providing effective protection for your plants while simplifying the installation process.
How Much Do Garden Nettings Cost?
The cost of garden netting is determined by several factors, with two key ones being the type of material utilized and the size of the net. Garden netting prices typically range from $7 to $50.
Notes when using Garden Netting
- Firstly, it's important to keep in mind that certain types of plant netting, like fine mesh cloth, can partially block sunlight. If you're cultivating sunlight-dependent plants, such as tomatoes, make sure to select plant netting that permits sufficient sunlight penetration.
- Secondly, consider that using netting on your plants during rainy weather can lead to prolonged leaf moisture. This moisture can create an ideal environment for specific plant diseases, like late blight, which can have a significant impact on crops like tomatoes and potatoes. You can explore blight-resistant tomato varieties as a solution for this issue.
- Lastly, don't forget that during cold nights, frost can harm leaves or fruit that come into contact with the plant netting. If possible, utilize supports to keep the netting away from your plants, a topic we'll delve into further later on.
In conclusion, garden netting is a highly beneficial asset for gardeners seeking to safeguard their plants and yield. Its ability to serve as a barrier against insects, birds, and small animals contributes to the overall well-being and productivity of your garden. Regardless of whether you are cultivating vegetables, flowers, or fruits, garden netting offers a dependable defense against potential hazards. Its simple installation and low maintenance make it a practical solution, enabling you to relish the rewards of your hard work without concerns about unwelcome visitors. Therefore, investing in garden netting is a wise choice that will undoubtedly enhance the flourishing of your garden.
