[fastmonkey85]

Hi all

I have some carrot seed to plant and I am worried about carrot root fly destoying the crop I have some enviromesh.

My question is when do I build the tent over them? As soon as I plant or when they are through?

 Many thanks

Alex

[Aunt Sally]

NOW 

[prakash_mib]

got mine set today (removed the fleece arch until now)
re-use of my sons mosquito net.
It looks like some exotic outdoor bath.

[mumofstig]

Very stylish  every plot should have one

[Aunt Sally]

Lovely

Your carrots won't get malaria either prakash 

[prakash_mib]

now.. how big is the carrot fly. I saw an aphid on the net and lots of winged black thingies walking inside the net size of a small ant. what are they?

[JayG]

Carrot flies are much bigger than that Prakash:

http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Cabbage_root_fly_and_carrot_fly_control.html

(Found an interesting idea on a different website which suggested mulching carrots with grass cuttings; doesn't stop the female fly finding the carrots but makes it very difficult for her to lay her eggs next to the plants.)

Anyone tried that?

[Trikidiki]

Just remember to put the plug in!

Might try the grass clippings on the parsnips but will use enviromesh on the carrots.
The house neighbouring my plot has a large lawn, he spent the weekend mowing and scarifying and I have all the proceeds. Was funny hearing him shout "Do you want any grass?" over the fence. He's now labelled as the village drug dealer.

I have filled the trenches of my "a la Geoff Hamilton" potato trenches with grass clippings. Hopefully retain some moisture on my sandy soil.