Think Twice Before Covering Your Whole Garden With Mesh - Here's Why

Whether you have a few containers on your balcony, a raised garden bed, or a sprawling in-ground garden, gardening is hard work. Between the digging, planting, and ongoing maintenance, the last thing anyone needs is for a pest invasion to come and deplete your plants overnight. From aphids to squirrels, there are all kinds of tiny pests who would love to make a home for themselves amidst your greenery. Those who prefer natural pest deterrents often reach for mesh garden netting. This popular mesh is touted as an easy way to protect your plants from pests and harsh weather conditions, but there are also some downsides of using netting to protect your garden. Factors such as reduced airflow, blocked pollination, and potential danger to small animals are all things you need to consider before opting to cover your garden in mesh.

In addition to the potential hazards, mesh netting can also affect the natural balance of your garden. Kiera Faulkner Jekos of Gardenwell tells Homes & Gardens that, "We want to support a thriving ecosystem and many of our pests are dinner for beneficial insects." Ladybugs, for example, munch on pests like aphids and contribute to pollination in your garden. By using mesh netting, you could miss out on these natural benefits as well.

The holes in fine mesh garden netting are small on purpose — to try and keep bugs and other pests at bay. However, these small holes decrease airflow, which can create a humid environment for your plants. This increased humidity and lack of airflow can lead to bigger problems, such as mold and mildew growth. On the flipside, larger netting poses a danger for small creatures such as snakes and squirrels, who run the risk of getting tangled and stuck between the gaps.

Instead, try hardware cloth with holes 1/4 inch or less in size. This material serves as a genius gardening hack that lets pollinators in but keeps squirrels out. Airflow won't be an issue with this material either, and the smaller holes mean squirrels and snakes are less likely to crawl through and get stuck. Of course, hardware cloth won't block pesky bugs from getting through, but it will allow the good bugs that chase pests from your garden to do their job.