Okay, I've got a few minutes. Let's take a look at some of the questions and objections others have raised. First, let me say this: IMPORTANT SIDE COMMENTS: My purpose in starting this thread was to get help from others in evaluating whether this idea might be viable or not. (It wasn't to try to convince you that doing what I've suggested is the way to go.) Hearing your objections is helpful in figuring out if I've overlooked something important or if there is something that makes this idea a no-go or not worth it from an effort-reward standpoint. In responding to your objections, I'm not trying to be argumentative; rather, my interest is in evaluating whether they are a serious issue or not really a problem (or a problem that can be worked around fairly easily). On this subject, there was a bit of mild sarcasm in my first post on the 16th. I'm sorry. Please excuse me for that. AND NOW THE ACTUAL TECHNICAL CONTENT... Objection #1: Heat build-up is going to be a big problem. Answer: I'm not really sure why that would be, although maybe I'm missing something. If I have what's basically a cage made from insect screen/netting, the sides (and potentially the top) should all have a decent rate of air exchange through them due to air diffusion, if nothing else. This isn't a greenhouse with solid sides and roofing. I would expect it to be a few degrees above the outside ambient temperature on sunny days, but that's about it. Am I estimating temperature build-up incorrectly? Related Objections: Ventilation! Humidity! Regarding ventilation, we don't get a lot of wind around here in the summer and plants still manage to do okay. As mentioned above, air will diffuse through the screen, resulting in a situation that I would guess is not that much different from what it would be with no screen at all. Nevertheless, I could periodically run a fan if needed to circulate the air. Regarding humidity, air diffusion through the screen ought to keep it in line with the area outside the structure. Objection #2: It won't stop pests, or at least not plum curculio - no screen mesh anywhere is fine enough to stop plum curculio. Answer: Are you sure? The screen ought to stop moths (e.g. the Oriental Fruit Moth). As for plum curculio, check out http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Anti-Insect-Screen/productinfo/IS-AI/ - they say this stuff will stop western flower thrips. Compare the size of western flower thrips (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_flower_thrips) to that of plum curculio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plum_curculio). Although I'd like to finish this post, I really need to go now - hopefully can get back with you all in the next couple of days. Thanks!

Hi MrsG47- Right. Immunox Plus is more commonly sold around here, but it has an insecticide which isn't rated for fruit. I wouldn't think it's the end of the world if you've used it so far this year (I'm just a novice though, and take my advice with a grain of salt, and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone here on this forum recommending going against the label). The insecticide is Permethrin if I remember correctly, and Permethrin is used on fruit in some circumstances. As of now, there really isn't a need to spray Immunox after this point in the season, so I would just put the bottle away, and get the right stuff next season. I've included a link to regular Immunox (not Plus) below. The only caveat with it is that I know they've changed the concentration lately on Immunox, and you'd probably get the best value from the higher concentration one, but I haven't looked if this one is the higher concentration or not. Luckily you have at least 9 months to research it! -Glenn Here is a link that might be useful: The Right Stuff

Don't look at the leaves. The white stuff on the leaves is not the problem. It is morning dew with the sun hitting it. The leaves are beautiful and clean. It is the "chickenpox" on the canes that I am worried about. All the canes have those green spots that are slightly raised. I can see no holes to indicate that an insect has punctured the area, but I can't be sure that it is not insect damage. On the other hand, I'm concerned that it is a disease of some kind.

Hi Jukes! I had some similar, mild damage to my veggies last year, and am seeing just a tiny bit so far in my lettuce. I saw some tiny, round-shelled snails in my garden, especially after it started raining. Look around under the plants and leaves after watering to see if you see any suspects and hand-pick them if you do. If your damage remains this mild, probably no need to treat with anything other than hand-picking. An organic garden allows for imperfections in order to use as little stuff as possible. If it starts affecting the yield of your crop significantly, and not just cosmetically, try some iron phosphate granules. These are organic and work well for snails and slugs. You might consider whether you are watering too much to be encouraging snails this early. Don't panic yet, try to figure out what, if any problem exists before treating. Anna