Shade/Insect Cage Idea

[KayJay]

This was for my cabbage, but the idea applies if you need a cheap and easy shade cage. Collapsible mesh laundry baskets from the dollar store. Get decent wire cutters, cut the tops off and put them over the plant upside-down. Shove some of the bare wire into the ground to keep it in place.



Ta-da! The idea falls apart when the plant gets larger, but hey, it works for a while.

[Starlight]

Very clever! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

[Tracydr]

Awesome idea!

[imp]

I use those to harvest greens- easy to do a first rinse right in the basket.

[tarpalsfan]

What a great idea you had :clap: I am going to try this, only I think that I will use garden staples or tent spikes to hold the laundry basket down, and maybe not cut a few of the baskets.
There are large sized laundry bags too. They would keep the thrip butterflys off my broccoli, ect!
.
If I cut a bag and draped the fabric over a dwarf cucumber plant-do you think it would protect the plant from the dreaded cucumber beetle?
.
:clap: for your super idea

[KayJay]

Probably, but maybe find some other type of mesh that will let in enough sunlight for the cukes. The bottoms of my laundry baskets are solid fabric.

Best of luck!

[tarpalsfan]

Originally Posted by KayJay

Probably, but maybe find some other type of mesh that will let in enough sunlight for the cukes. The bottoms of my laundry baskets are solid fabric.

Best of luck!

I didn't think of the mesh blocking that much sunlight. That is something to think about, still it is a brilliant idea for other vegetables!