Netting the Blueberries

By Mwillis
Based on previous experience, I know that it is vital to net my Blueberries. If I don't, the Blackbirds with have them - definitely! And I know that Blackbirds are willing (nay, eager) to eat Blueberries well before I would consider them ripe. This being so, I have already rigged up a net to cover my four potted plants:

It may look "a bit Heath Robinson", but I think it will probably achieve the desired result. I strung a piece of nylon washing-line cord between two trees and draped a net over it, weighing it down at the edges with bricks.

The Heath Robinson effect is enhanced by the addition of a couple of forked sticks which serve to keep the net out of contact with the plants - because if the berries can be reached through the net, they will be reached.

My four Blueberry plants are quite big now and they look healthy enough, though I don't think the crop will be huge this year. You'll notice that I have got their pots standing in big saucers which help me to keep the plants properly hydrated. Blueberries are originally bog plants and hate being dry.


By the way, if I had enough aluminum rods and connectors, I'd probably build a more "regular" fruit cage for these plants, but I'm saving what I have for protecting the PSB, which is due for transplanting just as soon as the last Broad Beans finish.

PSB seedlings awaiting transplanting