Carrots, cover or not

Welcome to the site and congrats on your lotty 

Carrot root flies are active into September so I would keep them covered to be safe.

NB. I have removed your email address for reasons: 1) to stop you being spammed; and 2) so that others can see all the replies on this forum and comment on them / learn from them 

Mine are always grown under debris netting throughout the whole growing season. Once you see your carrots riddled with carrot fly damage you don't want to repeat the experience particularly when the solution is so simple.

As the flies pupae live in the soil you can reduce populations on allotment sites by preventing breeding. Although they can fly up to five miles and will use wild queen annes lace. Better they live there than your much tastier carrot bed.

I'm growing white, yellow, red and purple varieties as well as the usual orange ones.

I am another devotee of enviromesh from sowing to harvest.   Advice is sometimes given that growing them in an elevated pot or with netting / fleece about 18" - 2ft high wrapped around the carrots will protect against carrot root fly.  In my experience only a full covering of fine enviromesh is any good.

 I grow them in deep raised beds, and avoid putting manure on before sowing.  I try and sow fairly thinly and never thin crops - thinning attracts the root fly.  I never sow before the first week in May, too cold for germination in Yorkshire.   Also comsider adding slug pellets (the ferrous type not metaldehyde) to the row when sowing. 

I seem to get good crops. 

I have used enviromesh for the last few years after having whole crops destroyed by carrot fly. However I think the seedlings are being eaten by something else under the ground resulting in sporadic germination evidence. May be worth a dose of nematodes.

First thing I did! Been at it since 1979.

Quote from: DD. on September 04, 2017, 21:34

.... Been at it since 1979.

Late starter then? 

Yes, but like my plants, I always catch up!