Thread: Blueberries
View Single Post
  #3   Report Post  
Old 04-12-2006, 05:44 PM posted to rec.gardens.edible
tuckermo tuckermo is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 6
Default Blueberries

We pounded rebar into the ground, slipped half-inch PVC pipe over it, and
using standard PVC connectors made a simple "box." We measured, and made
sure everything was in 4-foot increments (8x8, 8x12, etc.). This way, it was
easy (well, relatively easy) to cover it with bird netting--we didn't have
to cut odd shapes out of the netting. We attached the netting to the frame
with twist ties. Two edges of the bird netting meet where we want to enter;
we just undo the ties to go in, and twist them up again when we're done.

This has worked fine for us for birds and small animals; I don't know about
deer--they can get pretty determined.

The white PVC pipe is not very attractive. If I were to do it again, I'd
look for a darker color. The netting, however, just "disappears" visually,
which is nice.

"Ernie" wrote in message
ups.com...

Dick Adams wrote:
I want to plant some blueberry bushes in the Spring. To protect
them from birds I plan to screen them in. In past years, I shared
my neighbor's garden and kept the deer and rabbits out by planting
haberero peppers around the garden. My concern with deer is they
tear down the screen.

What do you due to protect berry bushes?

Dick


Dick the framework for my screen is made out of metal uprights of the
type signposts are made and the horizontal members are bamboo. The
deer leave my berries alone, but the raccoons are a problem. A couple
weeks before they ripen I start live trapping them and relocate them to
a state park.

For subsequent seasons, consider planting in the fall. It gives your
plants several months to establish a root structure before they leaf
out.