Hi
I have got a lot of raised beds and i need to protect them so that when they have things growing in them the chickens do not eat everything in sight! In the garden i have a fruit cage which is covered in butterfly netting, and the chickens do not bother with this is the slgihtest....so i was thinking of using butterfly netting to protect the raised beds - to 1) keep the chickens out and ") to prevent the butterflies - as i suffered with catepillar damage last year - my biggest problem (garden has no slugs and few snails) BUT my concern is over the plants that will need pollinating....and i'm wondering whether the bees can get through the netting - or what if i left the tops of the beds uncovered (just on those who need pollinating) - would this be ok for pollination to happen? ie run netting around the edges, to approx 2m height and then only cover the tops of things like root crops/brassicas?)
Also on a separate Q, i planted a lot of runner bean seeds at the weekend, 1 seed per 3 inch pot - but the sun has now disappeared - any tips on how to ensure high germination rates would be gratefully appreciated!
thanks L