Hi, I have recently planted some fruit canes, currants and a minaret cherry. All local advice is to buid a cage around them.
Also to net all brassicas against pigeons.
Any advice re cage and frame for net gratefully received.
Penny

Dear Penny, if you can run to it, a fruit cage is certainly the answer.
But whether you think of buying one or making your own, make sure it has enough headroom to be able to get in for weeding and picking.

But for the first year you could see how things go, and just be at the ready with some cheap nets.

As regarding your brassicas, some areas are effected worse than others, but if you do net, buy the netting with small holes and it will stop the Cabbge White Butterflies as well.

I got a sarcastic response last time I responded to this question but what the heck!
I believe in substantial fruit cages, could be something to do with being in a windy spot but everybody seems to be getting their dose of gales these days. If you are on your own land and are serious about soft fruit growing, one of the most worthwhile crops, you are better off with something permanent.
Mine is built from tanalised poles giving just over 7’ of headroom with 3x2 cross pieces. The area is divided up by concrete paths and round the edge is a wall one breeze block high. Above this is 1M high windbreak netting, the black sort with oval holes, and the rest of the height is 1Mx25mm chicken wire (I think it was MeshUK on the internet I bought it from). The roof is also 25mm chicken wire supported by thick fence wire and the cross pieces.
Why so substantial? It lasts and resists wind and snow and if things grow into it you don’t destroy the netting getting rid of them.
Why the wall? Weeds, grass etc. are a pain if netting goes down to floor level and blackbirds always burrow under somehow. A recent answer on GQT suggested using gravel boards for this purpose which could well be a cheaper alternative.
I grow summer and autumn raspberries, blackberry, loganberry, gooseberries, blueberries, red currants, black currants and strawberries (and my outdoor tomatoes) in it.

Hi Penny!
I would strongly advise a fruit cage! We have built one similar to Geoff's, with wood around the base to strim against. Also we have piled it with about 4-6" deep wood chippings to help keep the weeds down.
As for your brassicas, if you want them aphid and caterpillar free, I would recommend mesh. (enviromesh or similar) I will be using it for the first time this year, as although standard netting keeps out the birds and the flutterbys, I am fed up with broccoli and sprouts infested with aphids.
It is definitely an investment, by which I mean, not the cheapest option, but I don't want to have to throw away any more PSB that is more grey than purple

Many thanks - Maybe I will pass it my old man (Waldek) looks a bit more like a job for some-one who liked meccano when young. Penny