I netted my strawberry bed over the weekend, using Build-a-Balls and
cage components. It only took me about half an hour and should mean that I actually get to eat some of the strawberries this year, rather than providing a free treat to the birds!
I used
anti-bird net, with a mesh size of around 20mm, so that the bees can continue to get in to pollenate. I have a pretty good crop already, but there are still lots of flowers, so the bees should be able to carry on doing their best for some weeks yet. Besides, a number are Autumn-flowering varieties which will keep on developing for some time yet.
The great advantage of using the correct aluminium tubes and Build-a-Balls is that I was able to cut the horizontals to exactly the length I need to cover the whole bed, and its going to be really easy just to lift the net out of the way when I need to weed or pick the fruit.
Lets hope that we get a good summer and that it starts to rain soon, otherwise the great promise of this Spring will not fulfil its potential!