[Ma Lowe]

We have had the dreaded Carrot fly in our carrots and have dug them all up now and thrown them.

What I would like to know is is there anything we need to do to the soil before planting anything else in it?

We would like to get some winter veg in before its too late.

Many thanks
Ma x

[JayG]

Carrot fly can ruin carrots, as you have obviously discovered, allthough they also attack parsnips, parsley, celery and several other less often grown members of the parsley family, although usually with less devastating consequences.

I don't know what winter veg you are thinking of planting but the odds are they will be safe from the carrot fly without any special precautions. 

[Salmo]

Fork over the top few inches of the soil to expose any carrot fly pupae to the sun and birds. After you have planted the brassicas hoe between them occasionally to expose the pupae some more. If you net them you will shut the birds out.

Any affected carrots that may contain maggots or pupae are best put in your dustbin or sent to the council recycling. Only put them on your compost heap if you crush them and are sure the heap reaches high temperatures. If you only have a small quantity zap them in a microwave to kill maggots/pupae and then they are safe to compost.

[mumofstig]

Carrot fly can ruin carrots, as you have obviously discovered, allthough they also attack parsnips, parsley, celery and several other less often grown members of the parsley family, although usually with less devastating consequences.

I don't know what winter veg you are thinking of planting but the odds are they will be safe from the carrot fly without any special precautions. 

They attack turnips as well 

[paintedlady]

They attack turnips as well 

is that not cabbage root fly?

[mumofstig]

They attack turnips as well 

is that not cabbage root fly?

Oops yes.........you spotted my deliberate mistake   

That's what I get for speed reading my new book which passes from carrot fly to cabbage root fly without drawing a breath