Pollination vs pests

[Mateo]

Hello

I’m trying to get to grips with how to prevent crops getting seriously damaged by pests and how to let pollination take place. I understand from some online reading that some vegetables need to be pollinated for any fruits to grow, some veg self pollinate and others will pollinate even when covered. I’ve thought about netting for leafy veg but it sounds like it’s a bad idea for pollinating ones. So how do I protect my fruit and veg from insects and disease (and birds). I’ve read about companion planting with other veg and plants but reading Charles’ myths book doesn’t sound like this is any more than a hit and miss.

[charles]

Mateo you risk making it over-complicated.

Most veg are root or leaf so they mature without flowering or pollination.

For fruiting veg, some are not pest-prone e.g. squash, pumpkin, tomato and others, well, in my experience insects find their way through covers e.g. courgettes when I fleece them for early cropping.
Also nets let insects through.

Have a relaxed Christmas, all will be fine.

[willowcat2761]

Hi Mateo and Charles

Although it’s over 2 years since this post we have exactly the same question as Mateo. Ours is an allotment plot and well meaning neighbours keep questioning us about netting everything, including “how will the bees pollinate the strawberries if they’re netted”, to the point we became unsure of what we were doing and whipped the nets off the strawberries and broad beans which are now in flower. We have a lot of wood pigeons, crows and magpies. Having read this post we’re now questioning whether we should have taken the netting off. What a dilemma. Help!🤔

[Cleansweep]

Fruit netting has a mesh size of 15mm+, plenty of bee space. Crows, pigeons are not generally so daft as to go below a net, as it might drop on them. Magpies….well I have a word for them!*

*Larsen

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