Use of Pigeon Netting to Keep Birds Away from Your Crops

Pigeon Netting has been primarily used for the purpose of keeping birds away from a particular area. For this reason, it is often seen on the outside of buildings, particularly in cities, to discourage pigeons from roosting, and is obviously where the netting gets its name from. It has also been used by growers to keep birds from landing on or harming plants or seeds. However, there are also a number of different uses for this type of netting which are geared specifically towards the need to train plants to grow in a particular direction, and thereby increasing the amount of harvest seen. Bird net is a great substitute for what is known as scrog net. Some growers may have heard of this term before, and may only recognize it as a type of growing technique. The name actually is an abbreviation for the name screen of green which is placed above growing plants to aid in the growth process. This method of growing is designed to help bring all levels of the plant to the higher level of the upper canopy to improve the plant’s access to light, and thereby seeing an improvement in growth.

 

How Pigeon Netting Can Improve Crop Yields

Throughout time, growers have looked for ways to improve their crop yields. The use of netting is one of these common ways to help train a plant to grow in the best way possible to produce a higher yield. This helps the plants to grow as efficiently as possible. The result is a plant that is bushier and produces a higher yield. The process of scrogging uses netting that is placed above the plants. As the top of the plant reaches the height of the screen, it is then tied to the screen to encourage it to grow outward instead of upward. When this process is combined with topping, there is even a higher harvest experienced. This process involves simply cutting the tops of the plant off at strategic locations so that it continues to grow outward on the netting instead of upward. These two methods make it possible for the plant to have more access to light and make the growing process much more efficient.

 

Netting Increases Access to Light

One of the largest benefits of training plants with pigeon netting is that it helps to improve the access to light that plant gets. Because the leaves of the plant are what absorb the most light, when they are grown in a single layer at the same height, the light is able to be absorbed efficiently, and allows the plant to grow much more efficiently, as it is not wasting energy. Similarly, it helps to ensure the yield from each plant which is comparable to that of the other plants being grown at the same time. This is because plants are all trained to grow at the same canopy level and will not overshadow another plant. Not to mention, since any short branches are trimmed so that they do not produce anything that is less than ideal, and all of the plant’s energy is able to be focused on producing the highest quality yield possible.

 

Why Use a Scrog Net

The use of scrog may appear to be more time consuming for the grower to use, but there are a number of instances when the time required significantly outweighs the time needed. This process is ideal for growers who are looking to have a higher yield but have limited space. Because the plants have the potential to increase their yield by 20%, there is less need for more plants to be planted, as well as less space needed to grow the plants. It is also ideal for use with plants that are known for growing fairly large. The use of the net helps to spread the growth out in a smaller space while not hurting the yield, not to mention it helps to prevent growth from going down to the ground, where it will receive limited access to light. For specific types of plants, like indica and sativa strains, where there are regulations on the number of plants permitted to be grown by a gardener, this is even more important. This process is also great for use indoors, which some growers have found to be an ideal setting for a number of different plants they may be seeking to grow.

 

Pigeon Netting is Great for SCROG Net

Because pigeon netting is affordable, and is easy to adjust to the needs of the growing area, it makes it an ideal choice for those looking to use this method of growing. To use this method, the grower simply allows the plant to grow a few inches above the screen before redirecting branches so they grow at a single height of the screen. This creates the ideal canopy for the branches, leaves, and buds on the plant to get the right amount of light. In this process, the grower will also cut off small branches and side shoots which will only waste energy and will not produce anything come harvest. One word of caution though with this type of growing is if deciding to tuck the growth into the screen instead of typing it into place, it should be done with great caution so as not to accidentally cause damage to the plant.

 

Training Your Crops Effectively

The use of bird netting clearly goes far beyond the use of trying to keep birds from getting access to valuable crops. Pigeon Netting is particularly useful for training plants to grow in a particular direction, and help to improve the overall crop yield. One of the most commonly developed uses of netting in growing and training crops, is by using it as a SCROG net for specific types of plants. It is ideal for use with hemp and particularly good for use with sativa strains. It is estimated that the use of this type of netting can help to increase a harvest by 20% when used properly. This is something which is well worth the cost and effort for any grower.