- April 25, 2025
- Posted by: wellcoindustries
- Categories: Erosion Control, Jute Mesh
Introduction
Looking at your lush cucumber vines or ambitious bean stalks, you’ve likely faced the same dilemma thousands of gardeners do each spring: should you string them up with plastic trellis netting, or choose jute trellis support netting? Both hold plants off the ground and save precious bed space, but their differences go far deeper than the eye can see. This guide compares the two materials head-to-head—environmental footprint, durability, cost, and day-to-day garden performance—so you can pick the best option for your vegetable patch.
1. What Exactly Is Jute Trellis Support Netting?
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Natural fiber made from the stems of the jute plant.
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Biodegradable & compost-friendly—jute fibers start breaking down in a single season and can be tossed in your compost pile afterward.
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Strong for its weight—commercial jute netting is rated to support heavy crops like tomatoes and cucumbers throughout the growing season.
How Plastic Trellis Netting Differs
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Typically woven from polypropylene or nylon.
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Non-biodegradable; only about 9 % of all plastic ever produced is recycled, while 79 % ends up in landfills or nature.
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Long lifespan (often 5–10 years) but eventually becomes waste or microplastics.
2. Environmental Impact
2.1 Decomposition & Waste
| Factor | Jute Netting | Plastic Netting |
|---|---|---|
| Breakdown time | 80 % decomposed within 3 months once in soil. | Does not decompose; fragments into microplastics. |
| End-of-life | Compost or till into soil—adds organic matter. | Landfill, incineration, or accidental loss. |
“Fishing gear accounts for roughly 20 % of marine plastic waste—around 640,000 tons every year.”
While garden netting isn’t fishing gear, it’s made of the same polymers and follows the same waste stream if discarded.
2.2 Microplastic Concerns
Recent reviews warn that microplastics are “sickening wildlife and disrupting entire ecosystems.” Choosing a biodegradable alternative like jute eliminates that risk at the source.
3. Durability & Strength
| Test | Jute Trellis Support Netting | Plastic Trellis Netting |
|---|---|---|
| Season-long load (tomatoes, beans) | Holds 10–15 kg per square metre—enough for heavy fruit. | Holds 20 kg + per square metre; outlasts multiple seasons. |
| UV resistance | Natural lignin gives modest UV protection but fibers weaken after 6–12 months outdoors. | Stabilised for UV, often usable 5 years or more. |
| Weather extremes | Absorbs some moisture, may stretch slightly. | Minimal stretch, resists rot and mould. |
Bottom line: If you plan to re-string every season (most veggie beds are re-set annually), jute is perfectly strong. For perennials or high tunnels where you’d like netting to last several years, plastic’s extra life may be worth considering.
4. Cost & Availability
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Up-front price: Jute netting usually costs 10–20 % more per linear foot than mass-produced plastic alternatives, though prices have narrowed as demand for eco-options rises.
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Hidden costs: Disposal fees or eco-levies on plastic (in some regions) can erase its initial savings.
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Bulk rolls: Most suppliers offer jute in 5 × 30 m rolls—ample for hobby and market gardens alike.
5. Ease of Use & Garden Performance
5.1 Installation
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Jute: Softer on hands; knots hold without slipping.
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Plastic: Lightweight, highly flexible; can snag on stems if edges fray.
5.2 End-of-Season Cleanup
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Jute: Clip it down and throw vines + net straight onto the compost. No sorting plastic from plant matter.
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Plastic: Must be peeled free of tendrils (time-consuming) and stored dry to avoid mould.
5.3 Soil Health
As jute decomposes it adds carbon-rich organic material, improving soil structure—an easy win for long-term fertility.
6. When Plastic Might Still Make Sense
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Multi-year vertical systems (e.g., espalier fruit walls).
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High-humidity greenhouses where constant moisture could rot natural fibers prematurely.
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Budget-restricted community projects that need to stretch a grant over several seasons.
If you choose plastic, commit to re-using it responsibly and recycling where facilities exist.
7. Choosing the Right Netting for Your Vegetable Patch
Ask yourself three quick questions:
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How long do I need the netting to last?
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Am I willing to do end-of-season cleanup or would I rather compost everything in one go?
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Is reducing plastic waste a top priority for me or my customers?
If your answers lean toward single-season crops, low maintenance, and sustainability, jute trellis support netting is the clear winner.
Conclusion
Plastic trellis netting delivers multi-year durability, but it comes at the cost of lingering waste and microplastic pollution. Jute trellis support netting offers garden-ready strength for a full season, then melts back into the soil—leaving nothing but healthier earth behind. Switching to jute is a small pivot that can shave pounds of plastic off your personal footprint and still keep tomatoes climbing sky-high.
Ready to grow greener?
Try a roll of jute in one bed this season and tell us how it performs—share your results in the comments, tag us in your garden photos, or subscribe to our newsletter for more eco-friendly growing tips!