The Best Time to Put Netting Over Grape Plants

Time Frame

• Cornell University Department of Horticulture reports that netting is excellent for preventing birds from damaging grapes. Cover grapes with netting by early veraison, the stage in the ripening process when grapes begin to soften and add color and flavor, according to the Ohio State University Extension. The extension notes that there is usually increased bird activity in vineyards as grapes near this point. Netting encourages birds to move on or prevents them from reaching mature grapes.

Reducing Costs

• The Washington State University Extension advises buying netting from a wholesaler. Although they may sell very large rolls of wide netting, it will cost less than if netting is purchased 10 x 20 feet at a time from a gardening center. The netting can also be used to protect other plants, such as cherries and strawberries.

Grapes Less Attractive to Birds

• Cornell University Department of Horticulture also notes that birds are less interested in Concord grapes. According to the Ohio State University Extension, this is due to the presence of methyl anthranilate, a naturally occurring compound in Concord grapes.