Solving Pollination Problems in Covered Gardens

The Conflict: Pest Exclusion vs. Pollinator Access

Fine mesh (½") keeps out squirrels, rats, and mice — but also blocks bees. Result: lush plants, few fruits.

Hand‑pollinate: Use a small brush or Q‑tip to transfer pollen from male to female flowers (female has tiny fruit at base). Do within 1 day of female opening. Labor‑intensive but effective.
Temporary uncovering: Open covers for a few morning hours when bees are active. Plant bee magnets nearby: sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, salvia.
Bee‑scent attractant: Sprays like Gardens Alive's Bee‑Scent (product link).
Grow self‑pollinating / parthenocarpic varieties: Many modern cucumbers, zucchini, and squash set fruit without pollination. Check catalogs (Park Seed, Burpee).
Alternative pest control: Cats, live traps (Havahart), or repellent sprays (reapply after rain).

If covers stay on 24/7, you must hand‑pollinate or choose parthenocarpic varieties. No bees = no fruit for most cucurbits.

Growing Vegetables: Whitefly Prevention in the Vegetable Garden: Early Soap Sprays Win; Testing Soil pH for Blueberries and Estimating Yield from a Small Planting; Mothballs in the Garden: Not Labeled, Not Recommended; Choosing the Right Fertilizer: Time-Release vs. Water-Soluble for a Thriving Garden; Can You Plant a Vegetable Garden Over a Septic Leach Field?; Solving Wet Garden Areas: Drainage Solutions and Plant Choices; Protecting Gardens from Bird Damage; Ants Destroying Vegetable Roots? Organic Controls That Work; What Can and Cannot Go in a Compost Pile from the Vegetable Garden; Understanding Pollination in Your Vegetable Garden: Squash, Tomatoes, and Hand Pollination

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