I'm growing strawberries for the first time this year and the biggest problem I've faced is keeping birds off them. The most failsafe solution has been putting a protective barrier in place to stop these winged garden visitors getting to my crop.
If you're also struggling to protect soft fruits from birds, then I can't recommend enough using a cloche. I've been using fabric mesh ones, but these Amazon metal strawberry plant cloches have caught my eye because they seem much more durable. They even come with supports to hold the fruit safely off the ground, stopping rot and keeping the berries safe from soil-borne diseases.
I prefer the idea of using a metal cage cloche because it's harder for birds, squirrels and rodents to rip open. It also provides plenty of ventilation for the plant. The fact you get six in this pack is ideal, and the best part is they're modular and can be connected to make bigger cages, offering protection for a whole row of strawberry plants and other crops.
These cloches are ideal for protecting strawberry plants from birds. They provide a barrier to stop pests getting to your soft fruits while providing plenty of ventilation and light exposure. You can connect the panels to create 1-6 customized cages for your crops. This pack also comes with 12" growing trays to hold fruits off the ground, keeping them in good condition.
A Bird-Proof Barrier
While there are a few methods to keep birds away from strawberry plants (like the strawberry red rock decoy hack), I personally think there's nothing more effective than putting a physical barrier in place.
You can purchase soft mesh cloches, like this set from Walmart, but I like the Amazon metal strawberry plant cloches because they're constructed of sturdy steel wire. This is much harder for birds, squirrels, and rodents to break through than a softer material.
The other benefit is the fact these cloches are open with lots of ventilation. This keeps the plant healthy by improving airflow and helping to prevent powdery mildew and other strawberry diseases.
I also love the fact the six cloches can be customized, with interconnectable panels. This means if you have a long row of strawberry plants (or any other vulnerable crops) you can build a singular longer cloche.
Not only do these cloches provide a bird-proof barrier for your strawberry plants, they also come with growing trays to hold the fruit off the ground. This keeps it safe from destructive insects on the ground, soil-borne diseases, and rot.
In this way, these Amazon metal strawberry plant cloches protect fruit from all kinds of strawberry pests, not just birds.
More Ways to Protect Strawberries
Like I mentioned, there are several other tried and tested ways to protect strawberries from birds and other pests, so you can ensure they don't get to your sweet, juicy harvest before you do. Below are some of my top picks:
These realistic strawberry decoy rocks work by tricking birds with a harder surface that puts them off trying to eat the real strawberries in your patch. You get 12 in this set.
You can place organza bags over ripening strawberries to protect them from pests like birds. They're transparent to allow plenty of light in, while providing a physical barrier to keep pests out.
This bird netting protects soft fruit plants from birds and other hungry pests. Each one has a drawstring for a secure fit around the plant. They're transparent to allow plenty of light in.
This chicken wire cloche is rust-resistant and provides excellent protection from birds and other pests. It comes with stakes and plant labels.
These marigold plants are pest-repelling plants, thanks to their strong scent and chemical compounds. Position them near your strawberries and other crops to deter destructive insects.
These plant cloches are a fine mesh, protecting crops from pests while providing ventilation and light exposure. They can be folded away in between use for space-saving storage.
Protecting strawberries from birds is just one way to boost your yield. Getting strawberry fertilizing right is also important and it can help you grow bigger strawberries.
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