We’ve got both Ground-Level and Airborne Threats Covered!
Growing your own vegetables is hugely rewarding - until the moment you are just about to harvest and you find that someone - or something - has beaten you to it!
From birds pecking seedlings before they’ve had a chance to establish to butterflies laying eggs on brassicas and slugs attacking from beneath - to be successful veg plot needs all-round protection.
A properly installed vegetable cage is the most reliable way to defend crops from both aerial and ground-level pests - without chemicals, sprays or constant surveillance.
We’ll show you how to install a vegetable cage step by step, which netting to choose, and how to make sure nothing sneaks in from above or below - using modular components from the Knowle Nets vegetable cage range.
Why a Vegetable Cage Beats Loose Netting
Throwing netting over plants might feel like a quick and easy solution, but it often creates more problems than it solves:
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Birds get tangled
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Butterflies sneak underneath
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Wind lifts edges
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Slugs crawl straight in at soil level
A rigid vegetable cage frame with tensioned netting creates a sealed, stable barrier that stays effective all season.
A well-built cage can help protect against:
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Birds - the worst offenders are pigeons, sparrows, blackbirds
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Butterflies and moths - cabbage white, carrot fly and leek moth)
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Rabbits and squirrels - you may need to reinforce with wire mesh
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Slugs and snails - when properly secured at ground level
Step 1: Identify the Pests You’re Protecting Against
Before you install your cage, think about what you’re excluding because this determines the netting you’ll need.
Aerial threats
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Birds stripping leaves and seedlings
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Butterflies laying eggs on brassicas
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Flying insects damaging crops
Knowle Nets Recommend: Fine insect mesh or vegetable netting depending on pest size.
Ground-level threats
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Slugs and snails
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Rabbits squeezing under edges
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Rodents pushing through gaps
Make your key focus sealing the netting securely to the ground - this is where many cages fail.
Step 2: Build a Strong Vegetable Cage Frame
A good cage starts with a rigid structure that won’t collapse, sag or move in the wind.
The easiest option is to use a Knowle Nets Ready Made Fruit or Vegetable Cage or a Build-Your-Own Cage Frame to create something totally bespoke.
Knowle Nets’ build-your-own vegetable cage frames allow you to create cages to fit your particular space and the range of ready made cages provides a huge choice of walk-in or low cages with robust and easy to install Lock-Tight joints.
Step 3: Choose the Right Netting for Best Pest Protection
This is the most important decision.
Vegetable Netting (larger mesh)
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Keeps out birds and butterflies
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Allows excellent airflow
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Ideal for peas, beans, salads
Fine Insect Mesh
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Blocks cabbage white butterflies and moths
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Essential for brassicas, carrots, leeks
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Still lets light and rain through
Knowle Nets offers both options, cut to size so you’re not wrestling oversized rolls.
Step 4: Fit the Netting - it pays to get it right first time
For aerial pests
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Drape netting over the completed frame
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Pull tight so there are no loose folds
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Secure to poles using clips or ties
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Ensure the roof section is taut and supported
Loose netting creates a hazard for birds - tension is key.
Step 5: Seal the Netting at Ground Level - DON’T MISS THIS CRITICAL STEP!
This is where most DIY cages fail - and where slugs win!
Three effective methods:
1. Pegging - Use ground pegs every 30–40cm around the cage perimeter.
2. Trenching - Bury the bottom edge of the netting 5–10cm into the soil to block crawling pests.
3. Weighting - Lay timber battens, bricks or gravel boards along the edges for a tight seal.
Belt and Braces approach: Combine trenching + pegging for maximum protection.
Step 6: Create Easy Access Without Letting Pests In
You’ll need to get inside your cage for harvesting, watering and weeding.
Simple access options:
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Overlapping netting flap secured with clips
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Roll-up panel tied to the frame
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Door for larger walk in cages
The key is resealing the base every time with no gaps left open.
Extra Tips for Long-Term Success
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Check netting weekly for holes or lifted edges
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Clear weeds around the cage perimeter - slugs love cover
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Rotate crops yearly to reduce pest pressure
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Store netting clean and dry at season’s end
Quality netting such as Knowle Nets can last many growing seasons if looked after properly.
Why Do Gardeners Choose Knowle Nets Vegetable Cage Systems?
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Modular, adaptable frames
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Crop-specific netting options
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Durable materials for UK conditions
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Ideal for raised beds, allotments and kitchen gardens
Whether you’re protecting brassicas from butterflies or salads from birds, a properly installed vegetable cage is one of the best investments you can make in your growing space and Knowle Nets have an option for every garden and budget.
