Constructing a fruit cage

Is not a simple thing! I decided to put my fruit along the fence at the bottom of the garden. Last year I got NO fruit at all. Which is to say plenty grew but I didn't get any!

So this year thought I should make a fruit cage. Well, I managed it but it's not been easy! Specially when I found I'd left a gap and a sparrow got in. Don't know how long it had been in there but it's truly amazing how they suddenly discover they can squeeze through the tiniest gap when they feel threatened! Gap closed, cage check for other unintentional portals. All in all, I'm quite pleased with my amateurish first effort!

 

PS, I found old fashioned clothes pegs quite useful as well!

 

Looking good!!!!

Strangely enough, I was part of a conversation yesterday evening regarding the ingenuity of species to overcome obstacles in their endeavour to succeed in their native habits. What did learn?

Bed bugs are clever beggars. Brassica beasties are equally clever

Very best of luck with your fruit cages (they look good!) and wishing you a plentyful harvest

PS: I was recommended to use old net curtains (from someone on here!)

 

Just a tip, in case not one you already know.

You need to take the "roof" netting off before first snowfall, otherwise the weight will collapse the whole thing :(

I think there is also a side-benefit that the birds will eat harmful grubs etc. too.

 

I did wonder about that, Kristen, so thanks for the tip. Hence I made it so I can roll it back from the ground back to the fence. Sadly it's stapled to the fence so won't be able to shift it any further!

 

Those build a balls are dead useful aren't they?

I don't have a great deal of space for a fruit cage, I did attempt to make one with canes and build a balls...used loads of different size canes etc but it looked fairly rubbish and would have blown down methinks so I took the easy (costly) option and bought some poles, connectors and netting from Harrod Hort. Expensive really :( but good quality and should last a long time

 

Just bumping this thread to add a comment - having taken Kristen's advice and carefully rolled back the 'roof' of the cage ........ we ended up having no snow!! Perhaps I should do that every year!

 

I used old tennis balls for my makeshift heated bench cover,only because i couldn't find the key for the garage to find anything else...maybe not good enough for a fruit cage but certainly came in handy

 

what do you call the green ball things on the joint in the top photo ? - ive got some old ent poles im going to use for a fruit cage and theyd be idea for the joints

 

Birds or bugs? Ive gotten a few fruit plants this year so am taking note!

 

I need to do a fruit cage its just the price of netting stopping me. I have plenty of debris netting but it wont let the bees through