How to Protect Your Strawberries: A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Bird Netting

Strawberries are a delightful addition to any garden, but they can be vulnerable to bird damage. Birds, particularly starlings and blackbirds, are known to peck at and eat strawberries, leaving you with less than perfect fruit. To protect your strawberry harvest, consider using bird netting. It's an effective, humane way to deter birds without harming them.

Bird netting is a simple, yet powerful tool that creates a physical barrier, preventing birds from accessing your strawberries. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to put bird netting over strawberries, ensuring a bountiful harvest while keeping your feathered friends at bay.

Choosing the Right Bird Netting

Before you start, it's crucial to choose the right bird netting. For strawberries, you'll want netting with holes small enough to keep birds out but large enough to allow for good air circulation and light penetration. Netting with 19mm or 25mm hole sizes is typically suitable for strawberries.

Also, consider the netting's material. UV-stabilized polyethylene netting is durable, weather-resistant, and won't rot or rust. It's also lightweight, making it easy to handle and install.

Measuring and Cutting the Netting

Measure the area you want to cover, including the strawberry plants and a few inches of surrounding soil. Add a few inches to each side for overlap and to secure the netting to the ground. Cut the netting to size using sharp scissors or a utility knife.

If your strawberry bed is large, you might need to join multiple pieces of netting. Overlap the edges by a few inches and secure them together using cable ties or twine.

Securing the Netting

Once you've cut the netting to size, it's time to secure it over your strawberries. Start by laying the netting over the plants, ensuring it covers the entire area. Weigh down the edges with bricks, stones, or garden staples to keep it in place.

For added security, you can also use garden stakes or hoops to lift the netting off the plants, creating a tunnel-like structure. This not only keeps the netting in place but also allows for better air circulation and easier access to your strawberries.

Installing the Netting

Installing the netting is a straightforward process. If you're using hoops, insert them into the ground along the edges of the netting. Space them about 3 feet apart for support. Then, lay the netting over the hoops and secure it to the ground as described earlier.

If you're not using hoops, simply lay the netting over the plants and secure the edges to the ground. Make sure the netting is taut but not so tight that it damages the plants.

Adjusting the Netting

As your strawberry plants grow, you may need to adjust the netting to accommodate them. Lift the netting and adjust the hoops (if using) to create more space. If the netting is secured directly to the ground, you might need to cut small slits in it to allow the plants to grow through.

Always ensure the netting is secure and taut to prevent birds from finding any gaps to squeeze through.

Removing the Netting

Once the strawberry season is over, you can remove the netting. If you've used hoops, simply lift the netting off and remove the hoops. If you've secured the netting directly to the ground, cut it away and dispose of it responsibly.

Before storing the netting, clean it to remove any dirt or debris. This will help prolong its lifespan and make it easier to use next season.

Incorporating bird netting into your strawberry care routine can significantly improve your harvest. It's a simple, effective way to protect your strawberries from birds while still allowing for good plant growth and air circulation. So, don't let birds peck away at your hard work - invest in some bird netting today and enjoy a bountiful strawberry harvest!