We list below all the online retailers we could find who specialise in fruit cages. If you know of one we have missed then contact us so that we can include them here. The suppliers below are listed in alphabetic order. Prices are without any discounts.

The basic price comparison mentioned for each of the companies below is based on a galvanised steel frame (W2.5m L5m H2m) with one door and netting. Heights vary, read the descriptions below. Some suppliers do not have steel frames so please read the descriptions below carefully to allow accurate comparison. Where possible we also mention prices for aluminium frames which are cheaper to produce and not as strong as steel.

The netting supplied with each of the fruit cages below is designed to prevent birds from gaining entry to the cage, note that none claim to prevent squirrels entering.

If you require protection from butterflies (and thus most types of caterpillars) then a much finer netting will need to be purchased. We would suggest that 7mm netting is likely to protect against most butterflies.

The prices and descriptions below were last updated in January 2021.

Agriframes
Click here for their Website
In truth, the range of Agriframes fruit cages is so extensive, probably the most extensive of all, that it’s difficult to nail them down to a specific product. They have low height, full height, narrow, Roman and Gothic styles etc. and more.

For our average price check we have chosen their standard steel fruit cage range at W2.5m L5m H2m priced £338. Their website (as far as we can see) gives no indication of the diameter of the uprights or top rods. Slightly surprising given they are at the very top end of the price range for  fruit cages.

So it’s not possible to guess how structurally sound they are. However they do have one outstanding feature – they guarantee their products for 10 years, well above the industry standard.

The mesh they use to cover their frames (no other option appears to be available) is 20mm x 15mm on the sides with 20mm x 20mm on the roof.

We have mixed opinions about this company but on balance, the lack of technical specifications leaves us wondering if the extra prices they charge are warranted. But if you want a Gothic style fruit cage ……

First Tunnels
Click here for their website

First Tunnels do not have an extensive range of fruit cages, they have kept your options to the bare minimum. However, these are strong cages made only from steel with no weaker  aluminium option available.

Both uprights and top rods are made from 25.4mm diameter steel. Height is the largest in this comparison at  a generous 2.14m / 7ft.

There is only one option for the mesh used, it’s 17mm x 17mm on the sides and 18mm x 18mm for the roof. They claim this provides bird and butterfly protection however almost all butterfly netting is 7mm or smaller. In our view, a mesh of 17mm will not protect against some butterflies only birds.

Average price check (W3.8m L3.8m H2.14m) is £280 for a galvanised steel fruit cage with one door and netting. Postage is free to most of the UK. A solid, strong fruit cage at a reasonable price. We couldn’t find any mention of a guarantee on their website so you will need to check this out before purchase.

Reading the reviews of this product, assembly looks to be a relatively simple matter.

Garden Skill
Click here for their website
Garden Skill have three ranges of fruit cages which suit a wide variety of budgets and situations.

Their larger and more substantial Walk In fruit cages have 25mm aluminium (steel not available) box section uprights and top rods and a height of 2m. They can be extended ad infinitum in 2m sections. Netting is 20mm.

Average price check is £299 for an aluminium frame (weaker than a steel frame, netting and sized at 4m x 4m with one door. Height is 2m. Delivery is an additional £12.45 to most of the UK. All fruit cages come with a 3 year frame guarantee, although no mention is made of what is covered by the guarantee.

Our main concern with this fruit cage is the weakness of aluminium compared to a steel frame.

Haxnicks
Click here for their website
This company does not supply walk-in fruit cages, their highest fruit cage is 1.5m. However, they are included here for those who do not require full walk-in fruit cages. Supplied in steel or bamboo. Prices range from £34 to £57.

Henry Cowls
Click here for their website
Average price check (W3.5m L4m H2m) £271 postage free for most areas. These fruit cages are a mixture of steel for strength and some aluminium for lightness, a door and quality netting is included.

The crossbars and door are 19mm aluminium with the uprights made from 19mm steel. The netting mesh size is 19mm. Their fruit cages and netting are manufactured in the UK and the company was first established in 1895!

Good product at keen prices although we could find no mention of a guarantee for their fruit cages. Delivery free to most of the UK.

Knowle Nets
Click here for their website
Average price check (W2.5m L5m H2m) £407 including a £15 delivery charge. This for a galvanised steel, powder coated fruit cage with one door and netting. The frames  are strong, being 25.4mm diameter uprights and 22.2mm diameter top rods. The cages are 2m high.

For comparison purposes the same sized aluminium fruit cage costs £219. Both of the aluminium and steel frames mentioned above have a delivery charge of £15.00 to most of the UK. Frames are guaranteed for 10 years.

Knowle Nets supply a full range of aluminium and steel fruit cages in a large variety of dimensions, including their low height (1.3m) range. They have a choice of netting options we selected 19mm fro the purposes of comparison. A door is included.

These look to be high quality fruit cages from a company which was established in 1965. Price is significantly higher than other companies and we have assumed this is because the steel parts are powder coated which adds significantly to the cost.

Northern Polytunnels
Click here for their website
In the fruit cage and polytunnel business for over 40 years with all the parts manufactured in the UK by themselves, this is a company with a reassuring history. They have their own state-of-the-art computerised systems for analysing the effectiveness of their designs. So, if you want the best designed fruit cage and you would like it to be British then Northern Polytunnels should definitely be on your shopping list.

Although the write up for these fruit cages states on the website “Each module measures 2.5m x 2.5m (8’2” x 8’2”). So any size of fruit cage can be supplied in 2.5m increments, both in length and width.”, in fact there is a minimum permitted length of 7.5m. Height is 2m.

So our average price check comparison the price of 2.5m by 5m is not possible. The minimum price of £328 (including delivery to most of the UK) is for a fruit cage 33% larger which makes it the second highest price in this comparison.

Uprights and cross bars are all made from steel with Northern Polytunnels Armorguard coating which has a life time guarantee. The diameter is 25mm with a wall thickness of 1.5mm making them one of the strongest and most durable of the fruit cages in this comparison.

If you want to gain an insight into how you can build a fruit cage, the video on the Northern Polytunnels website (see
towards the end of their page here) is excellent showing one of their fruit cages being constructed.

Note at the beginning of the video how easy it is to change the height, width or length of this fruit cage to suit exactly the space you have available in your garden or allotment.

Premier Polytunnels
Click here for their website
Average price check (W2m L4.8m H2m) £287, delivery free (to most areas) for a galvanised steel fruit cage with one door and knitted netting. Note that this size is smaller compared to our average price check specification. Height is 2m

This is a family run business which has been in business for over 25 years, they major on personal service and uniquely, offer an out of hours construction helpline up to 9.00pm in the evening. For any not so handymen like me that’s superb service!

Robinson Polytunnels
Click here for their website
Average price check (W2.5m L5m H2m) £258 , delivery free (to most areas) for a galvanised steel fruit cage with one door and netting.

These look to be good value fruit cages and good quality, definitely worthy of consideration.

William James and Co
Click here for their website
Their fruit cages are manufactured in the UK so if you want “home grown” fruit cages then this is a good choice of company. They also produce aluminium fruit cages. A very good selection of sizes.

Uprights and top rails are 20mm in diameter (thickness not given), the netting is 18mm square mesh on the sides and 20mm over the top.

Average price check (W2.5m L5m H2m) £323 with free delivery to most areas supplied with netting and one door. Slightly cheaper aluminium fruit cages are also available. Appears to be very easy to assemble and good quality.

Definitely one to consider and the company has existed from 1954 onwards.

IMPACT OF WEATHER ON FRUIT CAGES

Probably the most important element to consider when selecting a fruit cage is the weather. If you live in an area that is likely to have snow at any time of the year then remember that most netting (pigeon netting possibly excluded) will collect snow and snow is surprisingly heavy. No manufacturer we know suggests that their fames / netting can support snow.

The effect of this is the netting will need to be removed at the end of each growing season to prevent damage from snow. You could wait each year and only remove the netting if snow threatens but let’s face it, removing netting from a fruit cage in sub-zero temperatures is not most people’s idea of fun! In reality the netting should be removed and stored away each year by November at the latest.

We checked out the impact of snow on fruit cages with four of the main suppliers and all of them stated that the netting should be removed if there is any danger of snow. Their opinions were all the same, even the much larger mesh of pigeon netting was not sufficiently large enough to prevent all damage from the weight of snow.

We live in the Midlands and our weather is about average for the UK. It is not unheard of for a snow fall to occur up to late spring so fruit cage owners need to bear this in mind at the beginning of the season as well as at the end of the season.

Wind strength is another factor that needs to be considered. If strong winds are common in you area then a strong and well-constructed fruit cage is a must. See the various construction materials discussed below for assessing the strength of a fruit cage.

Height of the fruit cage is also very important. You need to consider the above ground height and work out if that is suitable for you.

The length of frame supports which are below ground is also important. A length of 30cm / 12in below ground for walk-in fruit cages should be sufficient for most situations.

FRUIT CAGE NETTING

Most fruit cages are supplied with netting as part of the package. However there are different types of netting depending on the protection you require from your fruit cage. If your intention is to stop birds then a wide mesh net is all that is required. Protection from butterflies and smaller insects will however require a much smaller mesh net. The point we make is
for you to think about the protection you require and then consider if the fruit cage netting will provide that protection.

SECURING A FRUIT CAGE TO THE GROUND

A fruit cage is a costly investment so you need to make sure that it is secured to the ground well. Some fruit cages have very flimsy spiked feet which are not really suitable. Check out that your fruit cage can be secured easily and it will withstand a strong wind.

In very stony or hard soil this might prove difficult, the use of a hole former might well be necessary. If so, you might want to include this in the overall price of the fruit cage.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FRUIT CAGE

When it comes to walk-in fruit cage construction there are three main type, aluminium, steel and others which are mainly wood or cane based.

ALUMINIUM FRUIT CAGES

A cheaper construction material compared to steel however it has lots of other advantages as well. First is that it is lightweight and easy to move and construct. Rust is not a problem for aluminium fruit cages, they simply don’t rust and that has to be a bonus in the British weather!

The only downside of aluminium fruit cages is their strength, they are weaker than steel framed fruit cages. This is not a problem in most areas but if strong winds are common in your area and the fruit cage is in an exposed position then you need to take this into account.

STEEL FRUIT CAGES

These are generally more expensive than aluminium frames and come in a variety of finishes which will also affect prices. Steel readily rusts unless it is finished in a proper coating.

Steel frames are also much heavier compared to aluminium ones which makes construction slightly more difficult. However steel framed fruit cages are far stronger compared to all other types of fruit cage. This can be very important if you are in an area which is prone to strong winds.

WOOD FRUIT CAGES

These are by far the most expensive fruit cages and certainly not as strong as steel fruit cages. The other downside of timber fruit cages is that they require attention to maintain them in good condition.

The benefit of a timber fruit cage is that it looks good, very similar to the difference between an aluminium greenhouse and a timber framed one. If you want the good looks that come with wood then your choice of supplier is limited.

POP-UP FRUIT CAGES

Pop-up fruit cages are a relatively new idea for protecting your fruit and vegetables in the UK. They are delivered in a light weight flat pack and take only a few minutes to unpack and assemble. Their shorter life span compared to traditional fruit cages is balanced by a lower initial cost, convenience  and the ability to move them around to cover different crops at different times of the year. Protect early fruit such as currants and gooseberries and later on move them to protect cabbages, cauliflowers and other vegetables affected by insects.

You do need to remember however that most (but not all) of these pop-up fruit cages are not high enough or large enough for working in. They will also need to be removed and stored during the winter months so make sure you have space for them.

Garden Skill are the most well known name for pop-ups and they have a range of sizes but none of them are designed as walk-in cages.

BUILDING YOUR OWN FRUIT CAGE

With only a little do-it-yourself capability it is quite possible to build your own fruit cage at minimal cost. The fruit cage on the right (click the picture to enlarge it) was built for less than £100 and has lasted several years with very few signs of ageing.

Reclaimed timber has been used to build the main framework which is constructed by shaping the timber where it joins and then simply nailing it together (see the picture below).

Having built the frame work, cheap or reclaimed board is used to provide an edge at the base of the frame. Used skirting boards are a cheap way to do this.

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