[Growster...]

We have a 30' row of swede next to a row of carrots, which are destined for the bin because after thinning they were seriously  'flyed' and are now useless.

If I thin them, does carrot fly go for them as well?

[DD.]

Nope.

NEXT PLEASE!

[Growster...]

Nope.

NEXT PLEASE!

So are you really, really sure DD, that's too vague I'm afraid...

[Comfortably Numb]

Hi Growster,

Carrot Fly breeds on plants of the carrot family, eg carrots and parsnips. Also wild carrot if any of that is around your plot.
With swedes you have to look out for cabbage fly and flea beetles, and cabbage white caterpillars, and pigeons, and rabbits, and , and , and .............

[Growster...]

Thank Comforts!

The leaves have shown signs of flea beetle since they were pups, but they've grown strongly though that.

I'm going to try the 'Elder water wash' idea I picked up from an old book, and see if that does anything!

[DD.]

I think I said something very similar to that in my diary:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=69457.75

(shameless link)

[Gandan57]

Nice redcurrants DD.

So frustrating to see large perfect swedes and cauliflowers in the shops, yet we can never seem to grow them in our gardens.

[Growster...]

"They're only 3 years old, having been raised from cuttings found abandoned as prunings in the skip."

'Shameless link', and 'shameless result' in the red currant stakes DD!

That's a great fruit harvest you have there - I'm envious!

Actually, I'm going to make a confession here; the raspberries we 'inherited' also came from a long abandoned plot, which is overgrown with alder trees and is used for the local tip for everyone's junk. I did have some like them on my plot, but added a few more to see how they went!

But now, I'm going to try your suggestion anyway!

[DD.]

Club root is my biggest problem for both, but I've bottomed it with caulis by using a club root resistant variety and raising largish plants before planting out.

Regarding the red currants, I've picked about the same again and now wading through the blackcurrants that I found under nettles on my plot when I took it on, having been uncultivated for 5 years.

Sorry for the currant diversion, but it's Growster's thread & he did mention them!

[Growster...]

Thinned 'em last evening DD, touch wood, no signs of nasties yet...

But I trod on a salsify by mistake, so was heartbroken for several miutes...

It was only a couple of inches long too...;0(

[DD.]

Only one sacrificial plant?

Obviously not got my 10 thumbs and two left feet!

[Growster...]

Ha ha ha DD!

They're lovely veg, and it was the one right on the end, which got hit while using the 'Growster Wheel Hoe' down the edges!

It did go in again, but intensive care is the name of the game - you don't muck about with salsify...