[Hampshire Hog]

I am hoping to succeed with carrots this year!

Have had problems in past with the dreaded fly then tried covering a row but that didn't germinate :cry:

Is the method of surrounding with a 60cm high barrier effective??

Appreciate others experience of this

Cheers HH

[brucesgirl]

Don't know if it will be effective, but I am certainly going to try that this year.

[Vegpot]

Hi

I am trying carrots for the first time this year but in quite high raised beds - will I need to do anything extra if the seeds are about 20" above the floor?

[gobs]

I'm sorry, so experience seems to prove the books that you need clear of two feet.

[nobby]

i start mine under a closh next to my onions never enny troubel with root fly

[neal]

Ive had the same prob tried a clear plastic barrier 30in high (in old money)and they still got in. Latest idea is infestation may over winter in the soil as eggs. Trying same idea this season but in an area that has not grown carrots or parsnips for the last few years. Keep fingers crossed for a clear crop. Unless someone has a fool proof idea.  

[Hampshire Hog]

Thanks for replies looks like the barrier method plus a flame thrower! :twisted:

Cheers HH

[gobs]

Ive had the same prob tried a clear plastic barrier 30in high (in old money)and they still got in. Latest idea is infestation may over winter in the soil as eggs. Trying same idea this season but in an area that has not grown carrots or parsnips for the last few years. Keep fingers crossed for a clear crop. Unless someone has a fool proof idea.  

You should rotate crops, it always helps, as a prevention. This is not a new idea, my book first published in 1986, gives 3 years of min rotation for carrot fly eggs(pupae) to give significant decrease.

[ditchdigger]

Unless someone has a fool proof idea.  

                 POLYTUNNEL.

[Nikkithefoot]

I agree with nobby about planting carrots next to onions. The carrots I had that were closest to the onions (next 2 rows) had no carrot root fly damage, but the carrots that were allegedly 'fly resistant' (fly away if I remember) but further away from the onions had significantly more root damage. Will try the same this year

Nikki

[Rob the rake]

Unless someone has a fool proof idea.  

                 POLYTUNNEL.

Grow them in plastic barrels or dustbins, with a foot high mesh or fleece barrier ringing the top. Gives an effective barrier height of 3 feet or more and works perfectly.
It's an especially useful tactic if you struggle with carrots because of heavy soil. The exact composition of the growing mixture can vary but carrots seem to like it sandy, so I use 50/50 soil/sand. It's also an effective use of space, amazing how many carrots will fit in a bin!

[Nikkithefoot]

Grow them in plastic barrels or dustbins, with a foot high mesh or fleece barrier ringing the top.

I'm really good at putting things in pots, barrels, baskets etc, etc    

Unfortunately after a few weeks I invariably stop watering, dunno why, usually its a case of 'I'll do it tomorrow as its rained today' so everything dies :oops: The worst part is I KNOW they need watering even if its rained as they are relying on me, and I'll nag OH if he says he'll do it and then forgets :?

Is there any hope for me?

[ditchdigger]

Grow them in plastic barrels or dustbins, with a foot high mesh or fleece barrier ringing the top. Gives an effective barrier height of 3 feet or more and works perfectly.

 If you are gonna grow 'em outside I'd agree 100% with the 3ft. +height. not a beleiver in all this  Carrot Fly can't get above 2ft. rubbish.

[Rob the rake]

Grow them in plastic barrels or dustbins, with a foot high mesh or fleece barrier ringing the top. Gives an effective barrier height of 3 feet or more and works perfectly.

 If you are gonna grow 'em outside I'd agree 100% with the 3ft. +height. not a beleiver in all this  Carrot Fly can't get above 2ft. rubbish.

You're right DD. All it takes is a stiff breeze to lift them over the top and the damage is done. By the time you notice it's way too late.

[Rob the rake]

If you are growing carrots in a tunnel, it's useful to fit a half-height screen to keep them out when the tunnel needs to be ventilated.
It's relatively simple to make and fit an inward-opening mesh door on the back of the existing frame, like the bottom half of a stable door.