Vegetable seedlings require special care since they are vulnerable to pests. Pesticides are not only expensive but also dangerous therefore use insect nets to reduce pesticide usage.
Crop pests include snails and grass hoppers which are plant eaters, caterpillars which mainly attack tomatoes, cabbage and chilli. While whiteflies suck plant sap, slow growth and transmit plant viruses.
Installing nets
When installing the nets, you can either buy already made or make one. When making, add 1m to length and width of bed to know the size you need.
After getting the net, use locally available materials to support the net and cut the sticks long enough to have the net 0.5m above the soil.
Place the supports on either sides of the seedbed and remove sharp edges then cover seedbed with mulch, install the net and put soil all around the net.
After 8-9 days open the net and remove mulch after which you should shade seedlings incase sun is much.
When about to transplant, remove the net.
