Bird Netting & How Much To Cover the Crop?
Protects grapes
Enter ground area, drape allowance and roll size to get the netting area and number of rolls to bird-proof your grapes, pomegranate, berries or orchard.
Enter your plot
Next: buy ~4,856 m² (~20 rolls); support on poles/wires above the canopy so birds can't perch and peck through, and close the sides.
Netting area depends on canopy height and how you drape/box it; finer mesh stops smaller birds; reuse over several seasons if stored out of UV.
Bird netting — key facts
- Net area
- ground area × (1 + drape)
- Rolls
- net area ÷ roll area
- Drape allowance
- ≈ 15–30% extra
- Support
- poles/wires above canopy
- Mesh
- finer stops smaller birds
- Put up
- as fruit colours, near harvest
- Reuse
- store dry, out of UV
- Privacy
- Runs in your browser; nothing uploaded
Cover the canopy, not just the ground
Birds take their share of fruit in the final ripening weeks, exactly when the crop is most valuable — grapes, pomegranate, berries and orchard fruit can lose a real slice of the harvest. Netting is the most reliable defence, but ordering it is more than measuring the ground: the net has to drape over the canopy, down the sides and reach anchor points, so you buy extra to cover that three-dimensional shape. Get the drape allowance wrong and you leave gaps birds will find.
This tool gives the netting area, number of rolls, net ground area and net weight from your ground area, drape allowance and roll size, in your chosen units. Support the net on poles and wires above the canopy so birds can't perch and peck through, close the sides, and choose mesh fine enough for your birds. Store it out of UV and reuse it for seasons. Pair it with the Pheromone, Sticky and Light Trap tools for full crop protection.
Order the right amount
Net area and rolls with a drape margin.
Avoid gaps
Buy extra to cover the canopy and sides.
Plan the structure
Net weight guides poles and wire supports.
Protect high-value fruit
Defend grapes, pomegranate and berries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the bird netting area calculated?+
Net area = ground area × (1 + drape allowance). The drape allowance adds the extra netting needed to drape over the canopy and reach the ground or anchor points, rather than just covering the flat footprint. Rolls = net area ÷ the area of one roll. The tool runs both so you order enough netting with a safe margin.
Why buy extra netting beyond the ground area?+
Netting has to drape over the canopy, down the sides and reach anchor points — it follows the three-dimensional shape of the trees or vines, not the flat ground. A typical drape allowance is 15–30% on top of the footprint. Buying only the ground area leaves you short, with gaps birds exploit.
What crops need bird netting most?+
High-value soft and sweet fruit near harvest — grapes, pomegranate, berries, cherries, figs and similar orchard fruit — are prime targets for birds. Damage spikes in the final ripening weeks. Netting is the most reliable protection where bird pressure is high and the crop is worth protecting.
When should I put the netting up?+
Drape the net as the fruit begins to colour and sweeten, just before birds start working the crop, and remove it after harvest. Putting it up too early wastes exposure and can hinder spraying or management; too late and birds have already taken a share. Time it to the ripening window.
How do I support the netting?+
Support it on poles, posts and wires above the canopy so the net is held off the fruit — birds can perch on netting lying directly on fruit and peck through it. A raised structure also makes draping, access and removal easier. Close the sides and base so birds can't get in underneath.
Does mesh size matter?+
Yes — finer mesh stops smaller birds. Larger mesh handles big birds and is cheaper and lighter, but lets small species through. Match the mesh to the birds causing damage in your area. Finer mesh weighs more, which the net-weight output helps you anticipate for handling and support.
Can I reuse bird netting?+
Good-quality UV-stabilised netting can last several seasons if you take it down after harvest and store it dry, out of direct sunlight. UV exposure is the main thing that degrades it, so off-season storage out of the sun greatly extends its life and improves the per-season economics.
What does the net weight tell me?+
Net weight estimates the total weight of netting from the area and the net's gram-per-square-metre rating. It helps you judge handling, the support structure needed and shipping. Heavier, finer nets need stronger poles and wires; lighter nets are easier to drape but may sag.
Does this work for any area unit?+
Yes — enter your orchard or vineyard ground area in acres, hectares, bigha, guntha or square metres, and the tool returns netting area, rolls and weight in matching units. The drape-allowance approach works for any block, from a few vines to a full commercial orchard.
Are the figures exact?+
They're solid ordering estimates. Real netting needs vary with canopy height and shape, the support system, how you anchor the sides, and roll dimensions from your supplier. Add the drape allowance generously, confirm roll size with the seller, and keep a little spare for repairs and overlaps.