Learning how to put up bird netting is a straightforward way to protect your garden harvest. Properly installed bird netting creates a protective barrier for your fruit and vegetables without harming wildlife. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right materials to securing the final edge.
You will save your berries, fruit trees, and crops from hungry birds. The key is a secure and taut installation that prevents birds from getting tangled or finding gaps.
Let’s get started with what you’ll need to gather before you begin.
How To Put Up Bird Netting
This section covers the core process. A successful installation depends on good planning and the correct technique. Rushing this job often leads to gaps that birds will quickly exploit.
First, you must measure the area you need to cover. This includes the length, width, and height of your garden bed, berry patch, or fruit tree. Always add an extra 10-15% to your measurements for netting. This allows for draping, securing, and any miscalculations.
For trees, measure the diameter of the canopy at its widest point. Also measure from the ground past the top of the tree to account for the height. You will need enough netting to go all the way around and gather at the trunk.
Choosing The Correct Netting Material
Not all bird netting is the same. Selecting the right type is crucial for effectiveness and animal safety.
- Mesh Size: A 3/4-inch mesh is standard. It keeps out most birds while allowing pollinators to access plants if draped properly.
- Material: UV-stabilized polyethylene netting is best. It withstands sun exposure for multiple seasons. Avoid cheap plastic netting that degrades quickly and can become brittle.
- Color: Black or dark green netting is less visible to birds and blends into the garden better than white netting.
- Strength: Ensure the netting is strong enough to resist tearing but flexible enough to drape easily. A knotted polyethylene net is very durable.
Essential Tools And Supplies
Having the right tools on hand makes the job smoother. Here is a basic list:
- Bird netting (measured to size)
- Support poles (bamboo, metal stakes, PVC pipe, or wooden posts)
- Zip ties, garden twine, or heavy-duty clips
- Scissors or a utility knife
- A ladder for taller structures or trees
- Ground staples or landscape pins
- Gloves to protect your hands
Preparing The Installation Area
Good preparation prevents problems later. Clear the area around your plants first.
Remove any dead branches, tall weeds, or garden tools that could snag the netting. For trees, prune any dead wood or excessively long branches that might poke through the net. This also improves air circulation under the net.
Plan where your support poles will go. They should outline the perimeter of the area you are protecting. For rows of berries, place poles at regular intervals along the row. For a single tree, you may only need poles if the branches are low and need support to hold the netting away from the foliage.
Installing Support Structures
Strong supports are the skeleton of your netting system. Drive your poles or stakes firmly into the ground. They should be deep enough to not wobble.
For a rectangular garden bed, place a pole at each corner. For longer beds, add intermediate poles every 4 to 6 feet to prevent sagging. The height of the poles should be several inches taller than your tallest plant to allow for growth and netting drape.
You can create a simple frame by connecting the tops of poles with a horizontal runner made of bamboo or PVC. This creates a tent-like structure that makes draping the netting much easier.
Draping And Positioning The Netting
Unroll the netting carefully to avoid tangles. It’s often easiest to drape it over the entire support structure at once. Enlist a helper for larger areas.
Spread the netting evenly over the supports. Allow it to hang loosely over the sides, ensuring it reaches the ground on all sides with some extra material. The goal is to completely envelope the plants without pulling the netting too tight against the leaves or fruit. Birds can peck through netting that is pressed directly against your crops.
Securing The Netting To Supports And Ground
This is the most critical step. Start by attaching the netting to your support poles. Use zip ties, twine, or clips at regular intervals. Do not pull extremely tight yet; just secure it in place.
Next, work your way around the perimeter at ground level. Use landscape fabric pins or ground staples to pin the netting to the soil every 12 to 18 inches. Pull the netting snug as you go to eliminate large gaps. Burying the edge with a little soil is also an effective method.
For trees, drape the netting over the entire canopy. Gather the excess netting around the trunk and secure it tightly with twine. Ensure there are no openings near the base. You can also use a pole to lift and center the netting over the tree to avoid branches poking through.
Final Checks And Tension Adjustments
Once the netting is secured, walk around the entire installation. Look for any gaps, holes, or loose areas. Pay special attention to corners and where the netting meets the ground or the trunk.
Gently lift sections of the netting to create a taut, even surface. Adjust your ties or staples as needed. The netting should be tight enough to not sag and touch the plants, but with enough give to not stress the seams. A properly tensioned net will not flap loudly in the wind, which can also deter birds.
Specific Installation Scenarios
Different garden features require slight variations in technique. Here are common applications.
Netting For Berry Bushes And Small Fruit
Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are bird magnets. For a row of bushes, the tunnel method works well.
Set up two parallel rows of stakes along either side of the plant row. Create hoops or a horizontal bar across the top to form a tunnel frame. Drape the netting over the entire tunnel and secure it along the sides and at the ends. Make sure you can access the plants, perhaps by securing one side with clips you can undo for harvesting.
Protecting Fruit Trees With Netting
Covering an entire tree can seem daunting. For smaller trees, a single large piece of netting thrown over the top is simplest. Use a long pole to help center it.
For larger trees, consider sectional netting. This involves covering individual branches or sections of the canopy with smaller pieces of netting, which are then tied off. This is more work but can be more manageable than handling one enormous net. Always secure the bottom thoroughly around the trunk.
Installing Netting Over Garden Beds
For raised beds or ground-level vegetable plots, a simple box frame is effective. Build a frame from wood or PVC that sits on or around the bed.
Attach the netting to the top of the frame and drape it down the sides. Secure it to the outside of the bed frame with staples or screws. This keeps the netting away from seedlings and allows plants to grow vertically without immediate contact with the mesh.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Even with the best intentions, errors can compromise your bird netting. Be aware of these pitfalls.
Leaving Gaps Or Openings
Birds are clever and will find any small opening. A gap as small as an inch can be an invitation. Double-check all seams, edges, and where netting meets a structure. Overlap sections generously if you are joining two pieces of netting.
Using Netting That Is Too Loose
Sagging netting is ineffective. It can entangle birds and allows them to land on top of it, where they may still reach fruit. It also sags onto plants. Maintain good tension across the entire installation by using adequate supports and secure fastenings.
Ignoring Maintenance And Access
You need to be able to water, weed, and harvest your crops. Plan an access point, like a flap secured with clips or a section you can easily lift. Also, regularly inspect the netting for damage from weather or animals, and make repairs promptly with twine or a netting repair kit.
Seasonal Considerations And Netting Care
Bird netting is not always a year-round fixture. Proper care extends its life.
When To Install And Remove Netting
Install netting just before fruit begins to ripen and color appears. This is when birds start to take notice. Putting it up too early can hinder pollination if it covers flowering plants.
After harvest, remove the netting carefully. Clean it, let it dry completely, and store it in a cool, dry place out of sunlight. This prevents degradation and makes it ready for next season. Leaving netting up all winter can lead to damage from snow, ice, and wind.
Cleaning And Storing Your Netting
Shake off any leaves and debris. If needed, hose it down and hang it to dry. Never store netting wet, as this promotes mildew. Fold or roll it neatly to avoid tangles. Storing it in a large bin or bag will protect it from rodents and dust.
FAQ Section
Here are answers to some common questions about putting up bird netting.
What Is The Best Way To Secure Bird Netting To The Ground?
The best method is to use U-shaped landscape pins or ground staples every 12 to 18 inches. You can also bury the edges with soil or weigh them down with rocks or boards. The key is continuous contact to prevent birds from pushing underneath.
How Do I Keep Birds From Getting Tangled In The Netting?
A taut installation is the primary prevention method. Loose netting is a major entanglement risk. Use a mesh size appropriate for the birds in your area (3/4-inch is generally safe) and ensure the netting is pulled tight so birds cannot get caught in sagging pockets.
Can Bird Netting Be Used On A Balcony Garden?
Yes, absolutely. For balcony pots or small raised beds, you can create a simple frame from PVC or wooden dowels. Drape the netting over and secure it to the pot rims or balcony rails with clips or zip ties. Ensure the netting does not create a hazard where it could blow in the wind.
How Long Does Bird Netting Typically Last?
Quality UV-stabilized polyethylene netting can last 3 to 5 years or more with proper care. Cheap, non-UV treated netting may degrade and become brittle after just one season. Always check for brittleness or tears before reusing netting from a previous year.
Is It Necessary To Use A Support Frame For The Netting?
While not always absolutely necessary for very small areas, a support frame is highly recommended. It keeps the netting off the plants, prevents sagging, and makes the installation more durable and effective. For anything larger than a single small shrub, a frame is a good investment of time.