Netting for table grapes

Birds, wind and hail all cost table grape growers export cartons. A net over the vineyard keeps the bunches clean and the vines steady.

What the research shows

Netting table grapes: the numbers.

+25%

A Vredendal grower went from about 4 000 to about 5 000 export cartons a hectare after netting.

Source: Grower case study, Farmer's Weekly

These results come from one grower's experience, not a controlled trial, and his trellis design also played a part.

What a net does

No bird damage. Bird damage is often the reason growers first put up nets.
Bigger berries. The same grower saw berry size increase noticeably under the net.
Wind shelter. The net works as a windbreak, so vines no longer needed tying against the wind.

Questions

Does net colour matter for grapes?

The Vredendal grower chose white for the most light, and found little difference in production between white, red, blue and clear nets.

Sources

Other crops

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