How To Put Bird Netting Over Blueberry Bushes

How to Put Bird Netting Over Blueberry Bushes

To put bird netting over blueberry bushes, you’ll want to drape the netting over a frame or directly over the bush and secure it tightly at the base so birds can’t sneak underneath.
 
It’s really not complicated once you know the right steps.
 
If you’ve been watching robins and starlings strip your blueberry bushes clean every summer, you already know the frustration.
 
The good news is that learning how to put bird netting over blueberry bushes is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your harvest.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to put bird netting over blueberry bushes, the tools you need, and the mistakes to avoid so your berries stay yours.
 
Let’s get to it.
 

Why You Should Put Bird Netting Over Blueberry Bushes

Putting bird netting over blueberry bushes solves a problem that every berry grower faces.
 
Here’s why it works so well:
 

1. Birds Can Wipe Out Your Entire Crop

Birds love blueberries just as much as you do.
 
A single flock of starlings can strip a mature bush in a matter of hours.
 
That’s why putting bird netting over blueberry bushes is the difference between a full bucket and an empty one.
 

2. Netting Is Cheaper Than Losing Your Harvest

When you put bird netting over blueberry bushes, you spend a few dollars once and protect your berries for years.
 
Compare that to buying blueberries at the store all season, and the math is easy.
 

3. It Works Without Harming Birds

Putting bird netting over blueberry bushes doesn’t hurt the birds at all.
 
It simply creates a physical barrier that tells them to look elsewhere for lunch.
 
That’s a win for you and a win for the birds.
 

How to Put Bird Netting Over Blueberry Bushes Step by Step

Now let’s talk about how to put bird netting over blueberry bushes the right way.
 
Follow these steps and you’ll have your bushes protected in under an hour.
 

1. Measure Your Blueberry Bushes First

Before you put bird netting over blueberry bushes, measure the height and width of each bush.
 
Add a couple of feet to each measurement so the netting drapes all the way to the ground.
 
This ensures the netting covers the bush completely when you put it in place.
 

2. Choose the Right Netting

Not all netting is created equal when you put bird netting over blueberry bushes.
 
Look for netting with a mesh size of about ¾ inch or smaller.
 
This keeps out birds and also stops them from getting their heads or feet tangled.
 
Drape it loosely over the bush rather than pulling it tight against the fruit.
 

3. Build a Simple Frame

You can put bird netting over blueberry bushes without a frame, but a frame makes everything easier.
 
Drive a few wooden posts or PVC pipes around the bush and connect them across the top.
 
This keeps the netting off the berries and makes it simple to put bird netting over blueberry bushes year after year.
 

4. Drape the Netting Over the Bush

With your frame ready, gently drape the netting over the top.
 
Let it fall all the way to the ground on every side.
 
This is the moment where you actually put bird netting over blueberry bushes, so take your time and avoid snagging branches.
 

5. Secure the Edges at the Base

The final step is the most important one.
 
Use landscape pins, bricks, or soil to pin the netting firmly to the ground.
 
If there’s any gap, birds will find it, so seal every edge after you put bird netting over blueberry bushes.
 

Tips for Putting Bird Netting Over Blueberry Bushes

A few extra pointers will make the job easier.
 

1. Put the Netting Up Before Berries Ripen

Don’t wait until you see ripe berries to put bird netting over blueberry bushes.
 
Birds start scouting early, so get the netting in place as soon as the fruit begins to form.
 

2. Check the Netting After Storms

Wind and rain can shift things around.
 
Walk out after a storm and make sure the netting is still snug.
 
Re-securing it only takes a minute but saves your whole crop.
 

3. Remove the Netting After Harvest

Once the season ends, take the netting down, clean it, and store it for next year.
 
This keeps it in good shape so you can put bird netting over blueberry bushes again next season without any hassle.
 

So, How Do You Put Bird Netting Over Blueberry Bushes?

To put bird netting over blueberry bushes, you measure the bush, choose fine mesh netting, drape it over a simple frame, and pin the edges to the ground.
 
It’s a simple job that protects your harvest from hungry birds all season long.
 
Now that you know how to put bird netting over blueberry bushes, you can enjoy every last berry yourself.