The Essential Garden Tool for Strawberries & Salad Crops

The challenge of growing delicate crops in a changing climate

Growing strawberries and salad leaves is one of life’s simple pleasures—until the pigeons, cabbage whites, slugs, and searing sunshine get involved! These crops are especially vulnerable, not just to pests but also to extreme heat, which can scorch tender leaves and dry out fruit before it ripens.

That’s where the Haxnicks Easy Net Tunnel shade netting comes into its own. It’s not just about pest control—it’s about creating the right growing conditions from seedling to harvest.

Why salads and strawberries need extra care

Delicate by nature
Lettuce, rocket, spinach and young salad greens bolt quickly in hot weather. A sudden heatwave can ruin an entire sowing. Likewise, strawberries need consistent moisture and light—not blazing sun or battering rain.

Open ground vulnerability
When grown in the open, these crops face a constant battle: birds peck at ripening berries, aphids suck the life out of young leaves, and heatwaves parch the soil.

How net tunnels make a difference

The beauty of the Haxnicks Easy Net Tunnel

This tunnel is a game-changer for small-scale growers. It’s light, flexible, and folds out accordion-style with galvanised steel hoops already in place—so no fiddly assembly needed. You simply stretch it out over your row and secure the ends. Shade netting in place. Job done.

The fine mesh netting lets in light and water but keeps out larger pests like birds, rabbits, and butterflies (goodbye caterpillars!). It also reduces direct sun exposure, creating a microclimate that’s a few degrees cooler—ideal for salads and strawberries during hot spells.

Ventilation matters
One big advantage over plastic tunnels is airflow. The net tunnel allows excellent ventilation, helping prevent fungal issues like grey mould in strawberries and mildew on salad leaves.

Top growing tips for success

Water deeply and mulch
Both salad crops and strawberries love consistent moisture. Water early in the morning and mulch with straw (especially for strawberries) or homemade compost to lock in moisture.

Successional sowing
With salads, don’t sow the whole packet all at once. Sow little and often, every couple of weeks, to keep a steady supply—and always have a tunnel ready to protect the youngest batches.

Raise your strawberries
Grow strawberries in raised beds, pots, or even hanging planters to reduce slug damage. Pair them with the Easy Net Tunnel to stop birds from stealing your harvest just as it starts to ripen.

Companion planting favourites

Good neighbours for salads:

• Radishes – quick to mature and help loosen soil

• Chives – help deter aphids

• Nasturtiums – act as sacrificial plants for pests

Companions for strawberries:

• Borage – attracts pollinators and improves fruit flavour

• Lettuce – makes great use of space beneath strawberry plants

• Garlic or spring onions – help repel aphids and slugs

Planting guide: when and how

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