Last year our leek crop was wiped out by ALM, so we bought some micromesh to try to stop the blighters.

I've raised the seedlings in the greenhouse and the first batch are ready to plant out. Our mesh is in place.

Question is, should I wait until later in the season to avoid the first flight of the flies ? I have read different times for the 1st  attack period, some say March and April, others into May.

Alternatively, a bloke on our site only raises his mesh to plant or weed when it is raining, to hopefully avoid attack.  Is there any merit in this?

After a busy gardening day I CBA to make much effort - so a cheesy jkt spud with tomatoes and coleslaw.

I have to be very strict with myself and set up the iron and board first thing  and the Just Get On With It.  The thing is, once I've started I enjoy it.  If I sit and dither it doesn't get done.

 Lamb shank with roasties broccolli carrots and peas and loads of mint sauce, OH steak pie with pots and veg
 H/M Raspberry trifle 

I have a few around in the garden and at least 1 usually moves into the greenhouse over the summer months. 


The only damage they cause as such is sometimes they make themselves a little hole to sit in on top of a pot so they can be down in the damp compost.  That can squish a few leaves depending on how well fed and rotund your toad happens to be    If you have a pot saucer with some water in tucked away in a corner, they use that instead.