[Lisa62]

I'm definitely going to net my carrots this year.  Any recommendations for types of net, good suppliers or can I use old net curtains?

[digger1]

I used Micromesh from harrod horticulture you only need it 20 - 24 inches high there is no need to go over the top of the carrots

[mumofstig]

There is a need to go over the top on a windy site like mine - the flies are easily lifted over the netting on a breeze 

these are good quality and usually a bit cheaper than enviromesh
http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Veggiemesh.html

[JayG]

Enviromesh, Veggiemesh, Wondermesh are all variants of the same stuff - look around the internet for the best prices for the amount you think you will need,

Make sure it is pegged down well because carrot flies are poor fliers and will crawl underneath given half a chance!

Net curtain material would be OK if it hasn't got patterns with holes big enough to let the flies in (they are the size of small houseflies) but it won't last as long as the proper stuff which is UV stabilised and should last for up to 10 years.

[sunshineband]

As Jay said, net curtains without open patterns are fine, especially if you need a cheap option.

Careful though as they do rot over the season, so make sure you keep an eye in case of holes developing as the months go by.

There is more than one generation of carrots flies each year!!!

[DD.]

Belt and braces. TOTAL enclosure - carrot fly are not good flyers, but are good at gliding on a breeze, as has been said.

Enviromesh, or its alternatives are worth the investment. This is mine and will be on year 6 this time around.

[sunshineband]

and that is the format I plagiarised some time ago, after years of believing I could beat the fly with companion planting etc and then finding out it doesn't work that well

I now have clean delicious carrots - totally organic


Thanks DD  

[DD.]

The piece of hardboard at the end is only there because the mesh wasn't quite long enough!

[sunshineband]

The piece of hardboard at the end is only there because the mesh wasn't quite long enough!

I hold the ends down with planks of pallet wood, propped up by canes inserted into the ground


(I know, copying again  )

[Lisa62]

Thanks for all the replies!

[Stevens706]

Like DD, but I just use fleece to cover the hoops, it only lasts a year but it is quite cheap.

[RJR_38]

I am working out how to net my crops this year (first time I will be doing it. I have 2 questions which probably sound really silly so apologies in advance: 1) how do you water the crops? Do you do it through the mesh or do you lift it up, water and then put back? 2) where do you get the blue hoop things from? I have seen some on our plot so I am guessing they are quite common.

I am planning on putting mesh over my carrots and netting over my brassicas - are there any other crops I should be covering?

[viettaclark]

Leeks!

[DD.]

Ow yus!

And your fruit.

[mumofstig]

I am working out how to net my crops this year (first time I will be doing it. I have 2 questions which probably sound really silly so apologies in advance: 1) how do you water the crops? Do you do it through the mesh or do you lift it up, water and then put back? 2) where do you get the blue hoop things from? I have seen some on our plot so I am guessing they are quite common.

You can water through the netting, same as the rain does 

Blue hoops are 25mm water pipe you can get from places like Wickes and Screwfix sells it as well. Have a Google to see who's cheapest now......