A fruit cage is a great addition to any garden - not only does it offer protection from birds and pests but a cage can also become the focus of your productive garden and creates an environment where you can experiment with new crops as well as making space for your own personal favourites for your crops.
Choosing the right fruits and vegetables depends a little on your growing conditions but most importantly on what you enjoy eating - a cage will guarantee you a bumper harvest so whatever you grow there will be plenty to enjoy and share!
These are our favourite Fruit Cage winners:
1. Raspberries
Raspberries are a quintessential British fruit, thriving in our temperate climate. If you have the space to grow a row of canes they will produce great yields from mid-summer into autumn - Opt for both summer-fruiting and autumn-fruiting varieties to extend your harvest.
2. Blackberries
Cultivated Blackberries are vigorous growers, producing sweet, dark fruits, larger than the hedgerow variety, from late summer into autumn. Training them along supports within your fruit cage will help manage their growth and make harvesting easier.
3. Currants (Black, Red, and White)
Currant bushes are compact and highly productive, making them ideal for fruit cages - the jewel like berries are a great sight in high summer. They yield clusters of tart berries perfect for jams, puddings, and baking.
4. Gooseberries
Gooseberries are fantastic hardy shrubs that produce their distinctive tangy fruits in early to mid-summer - without the protection of a cage the birds can strip then ripe fruit from the bush in a single sitting! They thrive in the UK climate and are a great British tradition - who doesn’t love a comforting crumble or refreshingly sharp Gooseberry Fool? Regular pruning will help maintain their shape and productivity.
5. Blueberries
Blueberries require acidic soil - growing them in a fruit cage allows you to control the environment and it’s worth considering growing them in containers filled with ericaceous compost which will keep them healthy and productive. They are surprisingly easy to grow and, once established, will provide a bumper crop of berries with stunning red foliage on the plants in the Autumn.
6. Strawberries
Strawberries are a firm favourite among gardeners - but also with the birds and slugs! They produce sweet, juicy fruits from late spring through summer and adding some protection will dramatically increase your harvest leaving plenty for jams as well as to eat fresh with a dash of cream. A purpose-built Strawberry Cage is designed specifically with the height and spreading habit of strawberry plants in mind, featuring a square mesh duo-filament knotted netting. The low design improves crop yield, and the removable net allows for easy access when watering or picking.
7. Dwarf Fruit Trees (Cherry and Plum)
Dwarf varieties of cherry and plum trees can be grown within a fruit cage, benefiting from the extra care and protection it provides. These trees produce full-sized fruits on smaller trees, making them perfect for limited spaces.
8. Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale)
While obviously not fruits, brassicas are often targeted by birds and butterflies, making them great candidates for some space in your fruit cage. They do best in a sunny spot with moist, alkaline soil that has had plenty of well-rotted organic matter added and the protection the cage offers will ensure healthier plants and better yields.
9. Salad Greens
Salad greens are quick-growing crops that can be sown multiple times throughout the growing season. They are often damaged by birds, so growing them within a fruit cage offers protection and allows for a continuous supply of fresh leaves. Lettuce, for example, prefers the cool and moist conditions of early spring and will often need protection from strong sun later in the season, making it a great crop to get started early in a cage where you can keep a careful eye on it and add extra protection where needed.
10. Peas
Peas are a delicious addition to any garden with a wide variety producing sweet pods that can be eaten fresh or cooked. They are often targeted by birds, especially during the early stages of growth so growing peas within a fruit cage protects them and also allows you to create structures to support their growth.
When planning your fruit cage layout make sure you consider the mature size of each plant to ensure adequate spacing and light penetration - it’s amazing how much bigger everything will grow within the protected environment! Including a good a variety of crops will maximise the use of your space and provide you with a diverse harvest.
Remember to choose a fruit cage that suits your garden's size and is well constructed from durable materials to last well - a Fruit Cage is a long term investment and the planting will improve year on year. Regular maintenance, such as pruning and soil management, will help keep your plants healthy and productive.
Investing in a well-planned fruit cage not only protects your crops but also Knowle Nets supply great looking cages that enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden adding formality and structure.
By selecting the right combination of fruits and vegetables, you can enjoy a plentiful and varied harvest throughout the growing season and create a fantastic and comfortable place to while away the hours in your Kitchen Garden.
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