I have to admit that I haven’t played tennis for many years now, so would never have thought that tennis balls would be back in my life again. Saw this wonderful netting support system (could be cleverly marketed as such!) at a friend’s allotment and have been using it to keep birds off my fruit ever since. Netting to be draped in the near future. Simple, but brilliant.
Out of my shed 
I can’t believe these are your strawberries now. Mine are tiny!
Hi Jessica. I planted strawberry runners (Cambridge Late Pine variety) last summer in lots of my own gorgeous garden compost and the soil on this site is pretty good too-very good loamy texture and not heavy clay like my garden at home. Think I may have added some ash left over from a log burning fireplace which adds Potassium to the crop-good for fruiting (see http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/woodash.html for more info on adding ash to your crops). Just need to remember to put the netting on, keep weeding and water too (lothe that I am) if this dry weather continues, and hopefully should get a good crop this year!
I’ve just done similar to my newly planted raspberries (having seen a large fox cub nearby). I had some ‘build-a-balls’ from the Lakeland sale last year and was just wishing that i’d bought more. Now, thanks to you, I have another solution and – even better – recycled. Will be off to see a tennis coach friend very soon! Thanks for the idea! Caro xx
I use old squash balls! And funnily never thought of tennis ones…
Hi Naomi. Love your post…fab way to put netting over my strawberries that I will have to try….I sent you an email as well to let you know that I am trying to process you through Blotanical but need you to add the badge so I can finish and welcome you as your mentor. Can you email me? Thanks and I love your blog and look forward to reading more and more…
Great to see you on Blotanical! Love the tennis balls idea – much cheaper than the Build-a-Ball system I expect.
Hi Caro, Veronica and Mark-It seems that anything spherical will do the trick to protect our delicious berries! V.best Naomi
A very interesting idea (especially because, like you, I haven’t played tennis in a while and my tennis balls have run out of pizazz)!
That’s a fabulous idea…I was just thinking that I’ll have to find a way to protect my berries here in the next few months – may try this!
Love the idea with the tennis balls. May use that for the baby lettuce which rabbits and other smallish animals like to nibble in the evening!
Garden photos are lovely. And what a treasure – imagine having Fergus Garrett so nearby!!!
Again, genius! We’re waiting for our allotment allocation, apparently it won’t be long. I will be buying tennis balls…
Lindsey, hope you don’t have to wait too long for your allotment. Hours and days of pleasure (and digging) await! Naomi xx