How to Protect Seeds and Seedlings From Birds
Birds, especially crows, seem to view vegetable gardens as buffets filled with pea seedlings, sunflower seeds and succulent salad greens planted just for them. A huge range of products, including owl silhouettes, flashy iridescent tape and motion-activated sprinklers, have been developed to keep birds out of gardens. But there is really only one foolproof option: bird netting. This thin, plastic mesh blocks the birds' access to your plants, but it also has an annoying tendency to get very tangled. Taking the time to make a simple support for the netting makes it easier to access your plants-and keep them safe from the birds. Here's what you need to do. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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U-shaped bamboo stakes make great supports for bird netting. To install the supports, start by snipping off the bottom 12 inches on each leg of the U-shaped bamboo stakes (using hand pruners). Place one stake at each end of the row of the plants or seeds you want to protect. Depending on the length of your row, you may need to place one or more stakes in the middle of the row as well. Drive the stakes into the ground so they are ultimately about 12 to 18 inches above the bed.
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Bird netting typically comes in rolls and is available at any well-stocked nursery or hardware store. For this project, you'll need to cut the netting wider and longer than the row of plants that you want to protect, because you will be draping the netting over the stakes. For instance, if you have, say, a 2-foot wide, 6 foot-long row of peas, then you would need to cut a piece of netting that is about 4 feet wide and about 8 feet long.
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Drape the netting over the U-shaped bamboo stakes. Pull the netting taut and then weigh down the excess material with bricks or stones. This helps keep the netting in place and prevents birds from getting up underneath it.
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You can water your plants and seeds right through the netting. Periodically check to make sure the netting is still taut and that your plants are not growing up into the netting, as this can make it hard to remove later.
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Birds usually leave seedlings alone once they grow to about 6 or 8 inches tall. Once your plants reach that stage, remove the netting. The netting will last for several years. The easiest way to store it is to roll it up around an empty wrapping paper roll.
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Comments
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rohitsharma1
Sep 05, 2009
I go through blog it's really good written. In fact, netting bird is an interesting topic to read. It has a wide knowledge about bird.. In fact, netting bird is an interesting destination i.e. covered by many websites. In fact We bought bird netting too, I had a couple of small tomatoes ruined by birdie beaks. Early on there were a couple of nice peppers and a few Juliet (grape) tomatoes - but the hail damaged many plants so might not get any Black Krim tomatoes. Ive thrown old basil seed around and still had it come up. Don't give up yet;-] -
rohitsharma1
Sep 05, 2009
I go through blog it's really good written. In fact, netting bird is an interesting topic to read. It has a wide knowledge about bird.. In fact, netting bird is an interesting destination i.e. covered by many websites. In fact We bought bird netting too, I had a couple of small tomatoes ruined by birdie beaks. Early on there were a couple of nice peppers and a few Juliet (grape) tomatoes - but the hail damaged many plants so might not get any Black Krim tomatoes. Ive thrown old basil seed around and still had it come up. Don't give up yet;-]
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soanyway
May 01, 2009
Wonderful tips and instructions. Congrats on being Ehow Featured Member. I have recomn'd you...pay it forward all over this site! ;-) I don't think the Star button is working still, I give you 5*
