Nettle root depth.

[Chrispy]

I am toying with the idea of planting nettles in between my fruit bushes, mainly as a way of keeping the birds off.

I am concerned the nettles would get out of control.

Does anybody know how deep the roots go? Is it worth putting in some some sort of barrier to restrict the roots to the area? would that work and how deep would it have to go?

[Chrispy]

[lavenderlux]

I don't think planting nettles in a fruit bush area would keep the birds away - on our site the blackbirds use nettle cover for their young fledgings to hide in. Nettles have both deep and fairly shallow roots and a sort of 'creeping roots' by which they spread

[Fork]

I am toying with the idea of planting nettles in between my fruit bushes, mainly as a way of keeping the birds off.

I am concerned the nettles would get out of control.

Does anybody know how deep the roots go? Is it worth putting in some some sort of barrier to restrict the roots to the area? would that work and how deep would it have to go?

Not a good idea.Nettles will overrun your fruit patch.Do what I do and get old of some old net curtains and throw them over your fruit bushes...works for me!

[Digeroo]

I am also not convinced they will keep the birds off , but will make picking the fruit unconfortable.  I sometimes miss one and find the hard way I there is a stem in the middle of the red currant.   

Nettles are very clever at spreading and very good indeed at getting out of control.  They spread from seed and their creeping roots which are difficult to spot when you dig them up can produce a new plant from tiny pieces or every few inches it left intact. 

I seem to have inherited a cat and that seem to be doing a good job of keeping the birds off the fruit.   

[goodlife]

Nettle will keep fruit picking gardeners away too.. :-X

[lincsyokel2]

I agree - nothing personal, but that has to be one of the worst ideas ive ever heard. The standard way is to make a frame out of tile battens, and cover it with debris netting.

[Chrispy]

Not my idea, heard it on the telly, apparently something done in permaculture although have not found any more details on the web.

When you want to harvest you just strim down the nettles and then pick your fruit.

Another reason it seems like a good idea, when the plot next door was vacant, it got over run with weeds, but when they got strimmed down, it revealed fruit bushes full of lovely fruit.

I know covering is the standard way of protecting them, but I don't like seeing things covered, so just thinking about alternatives.

[goodlife]

Well if you feel like trying...
I don't net my fruit bushes and I've got plenty to pick for myself. Birds barely touch my bushes..
I do admit letting some weeds come through and grow underneath..but as I've got 8 gooseberries, one huge red currant and couple of black currant all in same group..maybe our birds are just over whelmed by all the berries..oh..and large apple tree too with bird feeders hanging on it only yards away from the bushes.
Have you actually have lost crop for the birds?
I'm that lazy with crop protection..if I don't see beginning of any damage or loss I'm not bothered to protect...only when needed  ;).

[Chrispy]

My bushes have been moved around from temporary spot to temporary spot, and spent last winter in pots, so they have not had the chance to bare much fruit.
They are not in their final spot so hopefully I will get a crop next year.

I see loads of others all in a panic to get the nets on, saying they will lose all the fruit if they delay a day.

I am rather sceptical if all this netting is necessary, and hense why I am thinking of other things.

I do have autumn rasberries, the birds don't touch them much, but I can sit and watch the birds eating the ones on the next plot, as there is a support wire just at the right level for the birds to sit on and get at the fruit, I think if you don't make life to easy for them they will just go elsewhere.

[betula]

I am a great believer in the old net curtain.Looks attractive too LOL

[lottie lou]

Had my first crop of raspberries this year after many years due to copying Fhirls net curtain condom