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We've a couple of "raised" beds at the back of the lawn. Each is 2.4m * 1.2m as I bought some lengths of 2.4m treated timber to demarcate the edges. I built a cage to protect the veg from birds using leftover wood and some chicken wire, but after a few years service they've rotted so I need to replace them
I can get cages built to size for about £70 online - 2.4m*1.2m, these would be 1.2m high as well which is way higher than the one we have right now.
Or, I can build my own by buying some timber from a local place. I'm just asking the question and I think I already know the answer, will the cost saving of building my own justify the extra time and effort over just prdering online?
If anyone has any good links for veg cages, please do share
Have you considered the allotment standard blue water pipe hoop with Wilko nets pegged down over the top? Link below shows them made ito a fancy cage. I just have lengths of pipe with bits of broken bean pole or sticks in the end that get pushed into the ground. Works fine, cheapish, last ages, etc.
https://www.quickcrop.co.uk/blog/making-crop-protection-tunnels
I have a variety of the above, one with netting for the strawberries, two with micro mesh. The micro mesh ones are on a wooden base frame so can be moved from bed to bed, the strawberry one is just screwed onto the raised bed (so doesn’t move). Not sure how much cheaper it is (never bought pre made ones) but micromesh is about £30 and will make 2x2.4 covers, wood for the base is £10-£15 per base plus the pipe (cannot remember the price)
I just shove some big sticks in and drape the net around it. Seems to work. The poles from from the wood and the net found in the dump of a lorry yard. 10 minutes maybe to sling them up.
Cages? Will no-one think of the vegetables?
Have heard of cages for fruit to protect from birds but not on vegetables. Other option is to repurpose old CDs and hang them from sticks and strings above the plants the birds like.
will the cost saving of building my own justify the extra time and effort over just ordering online?
For £70? No.
I'm going to go with the cheaper option of using blue plastic piping to make hoops. I've worked out that I need about 12 metres and I can get double that amount for £22 here
https://www.toolstation.com/mdpe-pipe/p31388
unless that is not suitable for some reason? Wil need to get some netting as well of course
Wilko netting is usually adequate for stopping birds and fairly cheap. For keeping butterfly's off cabbages etc. you need insect nets. I got some of ebay although I'm told that scaffolding netting may be cheaper. Not yet found plastic free alternative save for chicken wire which I use to make a 2 foot high fence around the peas to stop the pidgeons eating the shoots. They obviously taste less good once over two foot high.
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-garden-netting-6m-x-4m/p/0299122
Edit: I think that's pretty much the water pipe I use. Cut to length the shove a stick or section of beanpole in the end and push it into the soil. Enjoy the veg.
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