Regarding your first question, birds got too many of my blackberries last year, and I discovered that just throwing bird netting over the berries creates a tangled mess that still doesn't give great protection. So, this year I built a bird screen using PVC tubing over rebar as posts. I then used fittings to connect the ends of the posts to horizontal pieces of PVC tubing, creating a rectangular frame, which I covered with bird netting. With the netting raised over the berries, I can keep the birds out without getting everything tangled up. I pinned down the edges of the netting at the sides and back so birds won't hop under it. Then, for the front, I attached the bottom edge of the net to two long pieces of PVC pipe and used them as weights to hold the front down. When I want to go in, I just lift up the pipe in front and duck under. I can also roll the netting up around the front pipes, hang it from some clips that I attached to the top front part of the frame, and leave it open when the flowers are in bloom so that the bees can get in to pollinate them. The whole thing cost about $60 at Home Depot and took about an hour and a half to build. If I can figure out how to attach pictures here, I can post a photo so you can see what I mean. Regarding your second question, my Darrows have primocanes up, but you're in a different zone than I am and I don't have any experience with Kiowa, so I can't help much. Good luck! Rob

Christie, that seems like a great idea -- tulle + duct tape. What ever would we do without duct tape and cable ties?? lol My dad had an orchard in the back lot years ago and he tried everything from firecrackers, those colored triangles on a string that flap in the wind, bird netting, and even rubber snakes and owls in the trees. I'm not sure anything worked too well, but he sure was trying. Personally I like the tulle/tape option if you can make it so birds can't get trapped inside. I'm thinking of doing that to protect my dwarf pie cherry tree this year. Good luck! Sunny

My father built a cage out of PVC to go over his strawberry beds -- it wasn't a hoop type structure -but more of a square cage. He made it about 8-10 inches high and it was the full size of the bed--which was huge-- probably 10 foot by 12 foot- he strung the bird netting over it to keep the birds out and anchored the netting down in strategic places with some rocks/boards etc. It worked quite well to keep them away from it -kept squirrels out too. He just flipped it over when it was time to weed or pick and flopped it back in place when he was done--then took it apart for winter storage in the garage.

Hi there. I know you have come here for help and ideas. To be very honest cats will be cats and the only way to protect these babies (and all the others ones nesting that you dont see)is to keep the cats in the house. I know you are trying to help the strays too, please try to find them a no kill shelter or an organization that will spay/neuter and adopt them out. If you don't your neighborhood will be over run with cats. It's not the cats fault, just very bad cat owners that let them roam free. I love cats but I also love the birds, I have 4 cats, all rescued strays..and they do NOT go outside. Cats are not welcome on my property. Be aware this is a very hot topic, we understand you are trying to help but what I have said is the only sure way to protect wildlife of all kinds. Thanks for your concern.