Covering vegetables and fruit with Veggiemesh insect mesh netting will protect your vegetables and...Covering vegetables and fruit with Veggiemesh insect mesh netting will protect your vegetables and soft fruit from a range of insect pests, birds, and other garden nuisances. Veggiemesh® garden netting provides a chemical-free barrier to protect your crops. This lightweight, fine-mesh netting stops insects from landing on or feeding on plants, while still allowing essential air, light, and rain to pass through. It is widely used by home gardeners and allotment holders across the UK and is particularly effective for brassicas, carrots, leeks, onions, peas, salads, and seedlings. Veggiemesh® can be laid directly over plants or used in conjunction with garden hoops or cages for added support. Its fine mesh effectively keeps pests out, allowing your crops to grow naturally underneath. Veggiemesh® insect netting helps protect against many common garden pests, including cabbage root fly, carrot fly, cabbage white butterfly, pea moth, leek moth, cutworm, onion fly, leaf miners, and various species of aphids. For smaller pests like flea beetles or whitefly, Veggiemesh® Ultrafine, with its tighter weave, is recommended for more targeted protection. Key benefits include chemical-free barrier protection, allowing air, light, and rain through, and being lightweight and easy to handle. It can be used over beds, hoops, or cages, and also helps protect against weather stress such as mild frosts, wind damage, and heavy rain, promoting healthy plant growth. While Veggiemesh® can remain in place from planting to harvest, fruiting plants that rely on pollinators like bees may require the mesh to be temporarily lifted during flowering to ensure pollination. When laying the mesh directly over plants, ensure sufficient slack is provided to accommodate growth. Secure the edges using netting pegs or clips, or by burying the sides to prevent any gaps that insects might exploit. Mesh size: 1.35mm. Light passage = 90%, Air passage = 95%. Weight: approx. 55gms/sq.m. Ideal for covering cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, turnips, swedes, radish, carrot, parsnip, celery, spinach, parsley, onions, leeks, peas, lettuce, oriental vegetables, strawberries, raspberries, and currants.
Best current price£6.30from Gardening Naturally UK
The Veggiemesh Insect Netting is designed for home gardeners and allotment holders seeking a chemical-free solution to protect their vegetables and soft fruits from pests and environmental stress. Its key benefit is providing a physical barrier that allows air, light, and rain to pass through, promoting healthy growth. A consideration is that fruiting plants requiring pollination may need temporary mesh removal during flowering.
All features
Colour
White
Model Part Number
VM1820
Brand
Veggiemesh
Extended Product Information
FAQs
What is the mesh size of Veggiemesh Insect Netting?
The standard Veggiemesh Insect Netting has a mesh size of 1.35mm.
Can this netting be used for organic gardening?
Yes, Veggiemesh provides a chemical-free barrier, making it ideal for organic gardening practices.
Will the netting block sunlight or rain?
No, Veggiemesh is designed to allow essential air (95% passage) and light (90% passage) through, as well as rain, ensuring plants receive necessary resources.
What types of pests does Veggiemesh protect against?
It protects against many common garden pests including cabbage root fly, carrot fly, cabbage white butterfly, pea moth, leek moth, cutworm, onion fly, leaf miners, and various aphids.
Can I leave the netting on all season?
Yes, Veggiemesh can remain in place from planting to harvest. However, for fruiting plants that require pollination, you may need to temporarily lift the mesh during flowering.
How do I secure the netting to the ground?
You can secure the edges by burying them into the soil, using netting pegs, or garden clips to create a seal and prevent pests from entering underneath.
What is the weight of the netting?
The weight is approximately 55gms per square meter, making it lightweight and easy to handle.
Is there a different version for smaller pests?
Yes, Veggiemesh Ultrafine is recommended for more targeted protection against smaller pests like flea beetles or whitefly due to its tighter weave.
Troubleshooting
Pests are still getting under the netting.
Ensure the edges of the Veggiemesh are securely anchored. Bury the sides into the soil, use plenty of pegs or clips, and check for any gaps where pests could enter.
Plants seem to be struggling to grow.
Check if the netting is too taut, restricting plant growth. Ensure sufficient slack is provided to accommodate the plant's natural expansion. Also, verify that air and light are adequately reaching the plants, though this is rare with Veggiemesh's permeability.
Netting is torn or damaged.
Small tears can be repaired using fine mesh repair tape. For significant damage, the section may need to be replaced or a new piece used.
Pollination issues on fruiting plants.
Temporarily lift or remove the Veggiemesh during the flowering period to allow pollinators like bees access to the blossoms. Replace the netting once pollination is likely complete.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Provides effective, chemical-free protection against a wide range of insect pests.
Maintains excellent air circulation (95%) and light penetration (90%) vital for plant health.
Lightweight and easy to handle, simplifying installation over various garden structures.
Offers protection against minor weather stresses like frost, wind, and heavy rain.
Suitable for a broad spectrum of vegetables and soft fruits.
Can be left in place from planting through to harvest.
Cons
May need to be temporarily lifted for pollinator access to fruiting plants during their flowering stage.
Requires secure installation to prevent gaps where pests can enter.
For very small pests like whitefly, a tighter weave (Ultrafine) might be more effective.
Does not offer protection against larger animals like birds (though the product description mentions protection from birds, this is a general capability of netting, and specific bird exclusion may need reinforcement).
Setup, Compatibility & Care Instructions
Setup:
Prepare Area: Clear the planting area of large debris.
Lay Netting: Gently unfold the Veggiemesh. You can lay it directly over plants, ensuring enough slack for growth, or place it over garden hoops, frames, or cages.
Secure Edges: Use netting pegs, clips, or bury the edges of the mesh firmly into the soil to create a complete seal. This is crucial to prevent pests from finding entry points.
Temporary Lift for Pollination: For plants that rely on insect pollination (e.g., strawberries, raspberries), be prepared to lift or temporarily remove the mesh during their flowering period.
Compatibility:
Compatible with most garden structures: hoops, tunnels, cages, and frames.
Works directly on the ground over beds or rows.
The 1.35mm mesh size is suitable for a wide range of common vegetable pests. For smaller pests like whitefly, consider the Veggiemesh Ultrafine variant if maximum protection is needed.
Care:
Cleaning: Gently brush off any loose soil or debris. If necessary, rinse with water and allow it to air dry completely before storing.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and sharp objects to prolong its lifespan.
Inspection: Before and after use, inspect for any tears or damage that may compromise its effectiveness. Small repairs can often be made with fine mesh repair tape.