[tadpole]

Ok, it’s me once more, worried about stuff.
I’ve planted mini carrots, which I understand have to be netted to prevent carrot fly,  just what kind of netting is fine enough to stop the fly from flying in and laying eggs, “envriomesh” seems to be the one to get, but is it ok laid over the carrots or do you have to keep it off with hoops, if so how big/high is high enough (low hanging greengage trees will be a problem), is there a cheaper alternative and where would one get it? With hoops and net I’m looking at £30 just to cover the two half rows)
This brings up a second problem Broccoli, how bad a problem is it with pigeons, how much crop will I lose if I don’t net my Broccoli?  Same thing as above, what kind of net is suitable to keep off the pests, debris net seems to be popular, and hoops made from water pipe, another £30.  I was hoping that having a mini plot would save me money, not bury me.

[Yorkie]

Carrots do need enviromesh or veggiemesh.  I haven't used either so don't know whether it needs to be suspended above - would have thought that the leaves don't go higher than about 12-18".

Broccoli will need netting with holes less than 7mm.  Pigeons frequently eat the lot if not netted.  You can use canes with plastic pots (empty yoghurt drinks) on them to hold the netting up.

[gremlin]

Of all the meshes and nets I have bought over the years, the best all purpose one I have  I a big square of nylon net curtain material. It has lasted me at least 10 years - and is even machine washable when Mrs G isnt looking

[sunshineband]

Nylon net curtain with no lacy bits is ideal (look in IKEA as they sell them for a couple of pounds if no-one has any spare ones at home  )

A few canes with bottles on the end is enough to keep it off the carrots, just seal it to the soil with old planks, milk bottles with water or anything else heavy.

You can buy cheap netting on line to keep pigeons off... good old canes and bottles are enough there too 

Just be aware that caggage white butterflies lay eggs on broccoli too, during the summer, so you might need mesh with three quarter inch holes in it.

[tadpole]

Ok to update, I’m glad I held off buying anything to protect against carrot fly and the like as None of my carrots have grown. I’ve a second row in the ground (two Sundays back) and still nothing from them either.

Anyway. My radishes (icicle and normal red types) all are growing despite slug attack, but what leaves that remain all have tiny holes in them. (About 1mm in size) dozens of them one each leaf.  Any ideas, what insect likes the leaf of radishes and leave a bunch of tiny holes? 

[Yorkie]

Flea beetle - won't do much harm.
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=510

[tadpole]

Flea beetle - won't do much harm.
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=510

Thank you for that
I was on the plot Wednesday and the radishes are growing great guns no worst for their teabag leaves.
New question
What is the difference between seeds for pea-shoots, and seeds for peas?  Other than the price (about 90p cheaper for the same amount of pea shoots seeds) also if I were to leave the pea-shoot seeds to grow,  what is the chance of growing peas, considering that I’ve not planted them yet?

[Yorkie]

What is the difference between seeds for pea-shoots, and seeds for peas?  Other than the price (about 90p cheaper for the same amount of pea shoots seeds) also if I were to leave the pea-shoot seeds to grow,  what is the chance of growing peas, considering that I’ve not planted them yet?

No difference.  Pea shoots are just the tops of regular peas which are growing.  You could use a big box of Bigga mushy peas from the supermarket to plant for pea shoots, if you wanted - probably cheaper than bags of actual pea seeds from a gardening source.