We have two grapevines in our backyard, one of them is two years old and the other one we got last year. We finally have our first grapes growing and we’re very excited about it!
Baby Grapes
I know that birds and bugs can be a big problem for grapes and I wanted to avoid that if I could. So I set off to do some research about how to protect our grapevines from birds and bugs.
Related Post: Grapevine Beetle
Grapevine
I didn’t find much information on the internet about protecting the grapevines. During my search, I did see several pictures that showed grapevines covered with what looked like a fine mesh cloth.
So I decided to use the same tulle material to cover our grapevines that I used to cover the squash plants.
You can also buy bird netting for the garden, which is inexpensive too. I’ve also seen bird repellent scare tape used at vineyards to protect grapes, but I haven’t tried it in my garden yet.
This is a lightweight tulle material that you can find at any fabric store. It was about $1.40/yard. I bought 3 yards for each vine, which will allow room for growth.
Tulle Fabric Used To Protect Grapes
Our grapevines are growing on a tall pergola structure, so that made it a little more difficult to cover them with the tulle.
Related Post: How To Trellis Grapes In Your Home Garden
How to Protect Your Grapevine:
- First I stapled the tulle at the top of the pergola.
- Then wrapped the tulle loosely around the vines.
- Then I carefully folded the tulle and used clothes pins to keep the fabric closed.
The clothespins will make it easy to open the tulle and access the grapevines so I can train the vines throughout the summer and adjust the tulle if necessary. It didn’t take very long to cover both grapevines.
Related Post: Japanese Beetles
Secure Tulle Around Grapevine With Clothes Pins
The tulle doesn’t look too bad in the garden either. Although my husband thinks our pergola looks like it’s been decorated for a wedding now. Ha, maybe I should string some lights in with the tulle.
Grapevine Protected By Tulle
This tulle fabric will work great to keep the bugs and birds away from our grapevines so we can have a wonderful grape harvest this year.
Sorry birds, no grapes for you!
How do you protect your grapevines from pests in the garden? Leave a comment below and tell me about your experience.
r3volutionary says
You could invest in a hawk – just sayin'.
RandomGardener says
Cool! I've used tulle for strawberries and cabbage!
Amy - Get Busy Gardening says
@r3volutionary – ha, ha! I like the birds, I just don't want them eating my grapes. But the hawk would be great for the rabbits!!
@RandomGardener – Good idea to use it for those too. I always have problems with the Cabbage Looper especially. I was thinking my whole garden could be covered with tulle! Darn bugs!
Amy
...and she lived... says
This is a good idea! I found rose chafers all over my grapes a few days ago. I used neem oil. Would've rather have done this though.
Amy - Get Busy Gardening says
I'm not sure if it was rose chafers or japanese beetles, but I saw a grapevine at a nursery last year that's leaves were completely decimated by one of these pests. This is part of the reason I decided to cover mine. I think I would have done it even if there weren't grapes this year.
PlantPostings says
Seems like that will work well. Congrats on the Grapes! Yum!
Jewelry MN says
A creative solution and a conversation piece
Amy - Get Busy Gardening says
I hope so, the grapes are getting bigger now! We might need to come up with a different solution next year once the grape vines are taller/wider. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. 🙂
Nooriya says
You know one need to taste the grapes before harvesting, they wont ripen once harvested…well the birds and bugs are doing that for me. Perfect grapes get eaten as they ripen. quite annoying. Will try the tulle next year. Thanks
Bob Griffith says
Vines will show grapes but they will turn black and can not harvest. What should I do.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sounds like black rot. Here’s a great post that tells you how you can control black rot on your grapes… Save grapes from fungal disease with thorough cleanup
ELPIE says
I used tulle last year. When the grapes were just about ripe, the chipmunks ate thru the tulle & polished off the grapes. Might work for birds. Will not work for chippies.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh man, that’s not nice! Darn chipmunks! They are the worst.
Stan Smith says
The only grapevine here at the house is left over from when this place was my wife’s grandfather’s vineyard and it had gotten so large it was pulling the fence down when we moved in here a few years ago. The birds must have not noticed, because they left it alone.
I put a grape arbor up above the fence which in turn invited every bird around to swipe the grapes. To be honest we’re okay with that since the grapes aren’t particularly good for anything other than jelly and there’s plenty for all of us.
The grapes I planted in my garden five years ago are much better and I’ve always taken the net off the blueberry and strawberry raised beds to cover the grapes after they’re finished for the season. The size is almost a perfect match too.
This year I added eight blueberry plants and propagated some grape vine cuttings from a trip to southern Germany & Switzerland so I bought a pile of nets when I saw them on sale with the intention of using them the same way.
Amy Andrychowicz says
LOL! Of course the birds started to care once you started to care. Too funny! Thanks for sharing about the netting, where do you get it?
Kim says
That;s a great idea~ I had birds eat holes out of tomatoes one time. So crazy! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on G+! Have a great week!
Kim
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh wow, I’ve never had the birds bother my tomatoes. Crazy. Thanks for stopping by and sharing my post!
Rebecca West says
Such a great idea! I’ll have to keep it in mind if I ever plant some grapes. Thanks for linking up at Welcome Home Wednesdays!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thanks for stopping by!
Flor Rachwal says
Our grapes are almost ripe for the picking but a lot of them were eaten by I dont know what. Fruit flies are all over when I checked the fruits inside the tulle protection. I am so disappointed with how the bugs/birds/squirrel etc. are eating our grapes. Please help.
Amy Andrychowicz says
If there are fruit flies all over, then I think your grapes are ready to be harvested.
Linda says
But you’ve only covered the post. My vines are specifically planted over raised veggie garden beds to provide shade/protection in summer, light in winter. The vines cover the entire shade “roof”.
I like your tulle idea but I’ll go for a colour and encase each bunch rather than the whole shebang. To difficult to cover the whole underneath where they hang and besides will look ugly.
Amy Andrychowicz says
LOL, that’s because the grapevines weren’t growing over the top of the pergola yet. 🙂
Emmie says
Would “fruit footies” work? (They’re little “socks” that are put over tiny apples and expand as the fruit grows) it seems like this would protect the clusters of grapes as well. Have you ever head of this working? I’m going to try it this year.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I have not tried using fruit footies to protect my grapes before, but great idea. I’d love to know if they end up working for you!