Marianne's Response
Pest Protection and Pollination
I have had a problem with pests (squash bugs and potato beetles) in the past. This year I purchased netting to protect the plants from pests and I do not know how to coordinate putting the netting on and pollination. For example, I’ve read that pests will appear as soon as the potato leaves come out so netting should be applied at that time. But, I am not certain about how well netting will work to keep out the pests if I have to open the netting for pollination to take place. Can you offer some advice about the best times to put the netting on, take it off and opening the netting for pollination. Thank you!
Posted by Kathryn Parker on May 27, 2020
Marianne's Response
You are correct in that netting will interfere with pollination from insects but some plants can be hand pollinated and some crops can be pollinated by shaking the plant to distribute the pollen. The most practical way is to remove the plant covers on sunny days between 10 am and 4pm when the crop needs to be pollinated. This would be when you see blossoms. On cloudy or rainy days less pollinators will be about so you can keep the crops covered. Once the crops have fruit you can leave the covers in place as pollination would no longer be needed. For potatoes and cucumbers leave the netting in place on young plants and seedling and remove it only when you see that the flowers have been produced. Some insects may sneak in as well but because the plants will be older they will not be harmed as much by a few insects. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti
