On 27/11/2014 15:04, Charlie Pridham wrote:

"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 26/11/2014 12:21, john t west wrote:
Am putting up a fruit cage 8ft long x 6ft wide x 6ft high, for someone
at their allotment.

And I'm confronted by a bewildering array of different types of netting
available. Also confusingly, I've seen advised; using a 'different
netting' for the roof, than for the sides of the cage.



I can't advise you in general on netting, but I would surmise that the
advice about using different netting for the roof may be to allow for
the weight of snow in winter. I seem to remember someone on urg
losing their fruit cage roof and having to replace it, so the type of
netting does have a bearing on the matter. Perhaps ring Harrods
Horticulture or Agriframes for their advice?



Can anyone advise from 'where' I can buy a * reasonably-priced * netting
please. Thanks.





--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay


LBS have a very good woven netting for the roof which can also be used
for the sides, I personally use chicken wire on the sides because I grow
stuff on it. I would not even think about the non woven nylon net, it
wont last a season and breaks for a past time.

Top tip if its a largish cage then the roof will sag, especially when
wet. prop it up with wood poles set in the ground, but place glass jars
on the top to prevent the net wearing through, this stops you getting
soaking when harvesting after wet weather!


LBS do a heavy duty 25mm bird netting that has a 6 to 7 year life, and
having had a woven cover brought down by snow I'd go for the thinner fiber.
As it is only a small cage(8 x6 x6) you shouldn't need a center support
but if you do then a 2x2 with a pop bottle on the top would do the
trick, safer than jam jars.
David @ a rain free side of Swansea bay