EP25 - Making a Brassica cage from scratch

Welcome to My Allotment Life
In this episode, I am making a Brassica cage to fit with a raised bed that I will be soon planting into.
I hope you enjoy my video.
I love growing my own veg and finally getting my own allotment plot has allowed me to give it a go on a larger scale.
Join me on my exciting journey from an overgrown mess to a bountiful and productive patch.
I try to make the videos as entertaining as possible and I am learning to edit as I go. So give me a chance and hopefully, you will be inspired to grow your own too!
Music in this episode: www.epidemicsound.com/track/0...

[@stingo1988]

Those little hinged legs on the back of the cage are genius! Definitely stealing that lol, keep up the good work, loving the videos. Cant wait to get my plot.

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Steven, thanks haha, I'm lucky I lined my beds up with each other or it wouldn't have worked! I hope you can get a plot soon! It is a wonderful thing to have. Best regards, Robert

[@chicofoxo]

Reminds me of Homer Simpson's chair that stops him from falling over when he leans back.

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

Look great you will be glad you did this.

[@myallotmentlife6459]

I already am. And as a bonus, I didn't kill my brassicas when I moved them 😅

[@kellysmith5310]

Absolutely genius!!!! This is what I've been wanting to do and finally a video doing it!!! Thank you soooo much!!

[@barryroberts6470]

Great build and love the idea of the flop down legs at the back when lifted up. New Subscriber, now i'm going to catch up on some of your older videos. Barry (the Wirral)

[@ironix1]

Nice effort. Well done

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Thanks a lot

[@monicadrumgold9397]

Your brassica cage is great ,those hinged legs what a fabulous idea, love it !😄

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Thanks Monica. Glad you liked it. Thanks for your support! 👍🏻. Best regards, Robert

[@StuWright]

i like your videos, its a shame you didnt show more of how you fitted the netting , as you did a good job, most videos i see with netting its loose and floppy !

[@DivinityinLove]

Great build and the video editing would've taken way more time than I can be bothered with so well done, I enjoyed your timed editing to the music!

[@ThedawnchorusPlot]

Hi Robert, an excellent job done, you’ve really taken to your Allotment and your doing a great job, I need to build something similar for next season, a winter job I feel, many thanks for sharing, Joy the rest of your weekend take good care kind regards..........alan🌿

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Alan, thanks for your message and support. I just love my space it does really make me happy. I can't imagine how I got on without one! I hope one day to have it as organised as yours. Hope you're well. Best regards, Robert 👍🏻

[@WildOnesHomestead]

I love this!!! It turned out great!

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Thank you! 👍🏻

[@cornishbackgardenernewallo1793]

Yes cage looks fab you have a good eye at making things plot looks fab

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Thanks Cornish! Hope the weather is good down there still and that the rain didn't last. Thanks for your support! Best regards, Robert

[@grahamarnold4823]

Good job buddy, hopefully frosts finished now and can get a load of planting done 👍

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Graham, yes let's hope so! Thanks for your support. All the best, Robert

[@pipsallotmentgarden5291]

Wow this looks really cool great idea with the hinges to stop it crushing other plants

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Thanks very much! I've not seen your channel before, looks very slick! Thanks for your support. Best regards, Robert

[@tinagardner3112]

Genius hinged legs amazing

[@stevesgrowingspace]

These jobs are so much easier nowdays with cordless drills etc... Not that I'm taking anything away from your work mate. A great job! Terrific idea with the supports on the back. It's all looking good, if that's flying by the seat of your pants then it'll be worth watching when you do know what you're doing lol All the best Steve

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Haha thanks Steve! Yes I totally agree about cordless stuff. Those hinges came from my Grandad's old tool box, very useful, but I also found a "drill" that was an old hand winder - looks like an old cooking whisk. Thank god we don't have to use those anymore! Thanks for your support. Best regards, Robert

[@stevesgrowingspace]

@@myallotmentlife6459 Mate! I remember those drills lol I think I still have one somewhere. 😂🤣🙂

[@williamcolemansgardenandal9017]

Good job :-) 🍺

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Thanks William! Nice to have your support. Best regards, Robert

[@samatronn]

I would love the descriptions and sizes of the wood, brackets, netting, screws you used so I can find them online. Also, the frame looks a little wobbly, have you ended up reinforcing any of it?

[@StellasVegetablegardens]

this made me subscribe

[@marcr9518]

he is cute !

[@earthmagic1]

Love how you did that! Well done! I'm curious, does the weed matting run underneath the beds?

[@MichaelGawesebmainone]

I tried gardening failed last two years mostly due to insects, tried again and new plant leaves were disappearing checked in cctv noticed bird activity. Have put a net over the raised beds hopefully will also prevent insects. Anybody any risk to plants if enclosed with nets like this or benefits?

[@juliestainsby6019]

Looks great just what I need this year can you tell me how tall I would need this to be please

[@terrykingsallotmentgardening]

The netting will hold it together Robert and I will be making a decision as to wether I make myself a couple to move around my raised beds. Are yours the same size so you can grop rotate? ♻️Happy gardening, Terry King.

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Terry, yes most of the beds are the same size (3.0 x 1.5m), so next year I can unscrew the hinges and move it to a new bed. 🤞🏼. Thanks for your support, best regards, Robert

[@terrykingsallotmentgardening]

@@myallotmentlife6459 always good to think ahead, let me know how they do in our weather conditions as I will do mine the same if I decide to have netting.

[@noreenkennedy2173]

Wow looks great! what was your bill of materials inc costings, to make one please. I note you had the base assembled first though. To 2 layers of planking. I think thats esseential, hope the kids leave it alone. We got a bit of a prob here, due mostly to having a stupid left wing rep who says it needs to remain open. On occassion.like i had windiws of my shed attacked cos i had the effrontery to put wire mesh over them, its gotta be kids or some jealous bastard. Though I've told them, one neighbour insists on putting his mazuma and sunflower seeds on my plot he reckons its squirrels but are no trees nearby? So why doesnt he put stuff deep in his compost bin and cover it? Ive put cow dung on now, and almost finished spreading it I bet they moan about that but its only once in 3 years, 6 in my case, and I only charge what I paid if anyone wants some the money goes to our allotment society hut. Though those that nick it are theiving bxxxxxs. Its impossible to have it delivered when I want so the tractor made a bit of a mess of the main paths as came when it was rainy (torrential). But hey ho I suppose I could use some of the muck to fill in the holes left by the tractor anyway - our rep can't say anything as its evident he had 3 loads delived on the same day.. It's a bit flimsy though, is thinkinking nedds to be made out if 3m l x 35w by 25mm h, batten really and put some triangular fishplates made out if ply at each corner, I spose if you have the time. the brackets idea looks good as does the hinges. I can only make my plot stuff out if scrap wood. But really needs to be made from fresh timber. Also sems to be a lot if drilling and screwing in site with a bit of planning you could predrill and cut before taking to site. Then all yould need is a screwdriver not two drills. Its a bit rude to show you have these tools which might encourage borrowers and tbs too. What screws did you use please?

[@miwah958]

Great idea. What size and kind of wood did you use? In my mind I like to make some cover which can be opened on both sides. It is still in my head, may be one day.

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Miwah, I used 38mm x 25mm batten timber. It is low cost and just about sturdy enough to last a few years. I did have to repair one piece that snapped after heavy snow, the weight of the snow on the netting caused it to snap. Other than that it has been great. I'm sure I'll get another couple of years at least out of it. If you want something more permanent I'd suggest using the next size up. Perhaps 50mm. Hope that helps and thank you for your comment. Best regards, Robert 👍🏻

[@stevenkempster4106]

Just found your channel and I like it. I very much like the idea of the hinged cage I will be doing one the same. Please could you tell me the measurement from the bottom of the mesh to the top of the mesh cage ?. Please could you also tell me what size timber you used for the mesh part of the cage ? Many thanks and keep up the good work.

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Steven, thanks for your comment. I'll dig out the measurements over the weekend and let you know. 👍🏻

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Steven, sorry for the delay, the timer is 19x38mm. To be honest, if I were to build it again (and I might when this one breaks) I'd make it out of the next size up. 50mm x 25 I reckon. So that's what I'd advise if you're going to make one. I did have to repair one of mine as it cracked under the weight of a heavy snowfall last winter. Hope this helps! Best regards, Robert

[@stevenkempster4106]

Thanks for that Robert I now just need to work out how high to make it for Brussel sprouts.

[@briansgardenandpolytunnel8172]

you put a lot of thought into building the cage................brian

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Thanks Brian. Didn't know your channel existed. I'll follow along! Thanks for your support. Best regards, Robert

[@nancytabor8302]

Just found your channel. I am interested in seeing how it held up for a year.

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Nancy, my next video will show me moving it. So far it's been OK. Thanks for your comments. Best regards, Robert 👍🏻

[@richardplantagenet8090]

maybe a couple of diagonals on the ends? make it a bit more rigid

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Richard, yes that's a great idea. The strong winds we had last week kept pushing it askew so that additional bracing would definitely help. Tha ks for your comment. Best regards, Robert

[@celticstoneworks.construct4570]

Wgat netting you use

[@SadieCM]

How do you do plan to do crop rotation with this?

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Sadie, hopefully it's pretty simple, most of the large beds are the same size so I will just move it onto another bed this year. The bed I am planning to use this year is next to a path so there won't be the worry of crushing anything behind it as I open it. I hope this has answered your question correctly. Thanks for your comments! Best regards, Robert 👍🏻

[@smithy4530]

That’s a great looking cage mate 👍 can I ask where did you get your netting from?

[@myallotmentlife6459]

I'll always help out a fellow Smithy! I got it from screwfix, it's a 50m long roll and 2m wide. It was £40 (and sold as scaffold netting). 100m squared for 40 quid is better than I could find elsewhere. Thanks for your support! Best regards, Robert

[@chrisrogers9819]

Staple net on much better

[@myallotmentlife6459]

Hi Chris, I used screws and washers because I felt that I could remove the net more easily this way. And if I changed my mind I wouldn't have to rip it taking the net off. Thanks for your comment. Best regards, Robert 👍🏻

[@chrisrogers9819]

@@myallotmentlife6459 hi what l did staple the net to battens then screw batten on to greenhouses frame that way i can take net off the roof take care. Chris

[@littlelady372]

This is brilliant, you’re very talented at making things! Loving the videos 👍