[Falcon_man]

I have been working out what I need to do on the plot, where to Lime and where to manure and then I came to my Carrots bed. I know not to manure it but is there anything I should add?

I intend to dig spade and half depth down to make sure the soil is not to compact or stoney but is there anything else anyone can recommend. I also intend to net it to avoid the dreaded carrot fly.

Cheers

[paintedlady]

Dig in loads of compost if your soil is clay.  Nearer the time perhaps sprinkle some Growmore but don't be heavy handed with it.

And you'll need something a bit finer than net - more like a very fine mesh, fleece or (clear) plastic sheet screen at least 2 foot high round the bed

[Snap Dragon]

I'm hoping to grow carrots for the first time this year too and as I have no raised beds was thinking of covering with fleece. Everytime I hear carrots I also hear carrot fly and I'm worried now! :?

Can the fleece stay in place over the carrots the entire time they're growing? I assumed that if I covered them with plastic they would get too hot in there and had ruled out netting as not fine enough.

[littleorchard]

i put a sprinkle of bone meal on my bed last year, they were great until the carrot flys got them!

And I put onions either side, didn't work. This year i will either be growing in bins or having fleece round the side, i think they can't fly above 20 cm?!

[paintedlady]

Can the fleece stay in place over the carrots the entire time they're growing? I assumed that if I covered them with plastic they would get too hot in there and had ruled out netting as not fine enough.

Fleece should be alright - drape it over wire loops (like mini polytunnels/cloches) and weight the edge down with either soil or a lot of little bricks.  But do check inside regularly as weeds grow beautifully under such ideal conditions too!

[Lynne]

This year I am growing mine in an old bath I managed to get hold of. The bath is propped up on bricks and I have riddled the soil to remove stones. It's about 2.5 feet high so I'm hoping it's too tall for carrot fly.

[flowerlady]

Very smelly Tagetes if sown between rows also help to deter fly.

I actually mix spring onions in with my carrot seed!!  

[mkhenry]

All the smelly things you can plant in between on among your carrots will help against the carrot fly, but by far the best is a barrier.
It should be 2 feet high for safety.  If you just use a fleece cover the flys always seem to get in.
I think it is when you lift the fleece to water or just take a look.


Or like me grow them in a container at least 2 feet high.

I grow mine in dustbins, in a spiral.  By picking the outer ones the sun then reaches the inner ones.  The carrot fly just cannot reach them.

Bye the bye, once again I must pass this tip on.  Its true and does have some success.  I promise.

Place some broken bits or Mirror on the beds between the rows of carrots.
The carrot fly thinks its a stranger and will attack its reflection.
It charges so forcably that it kills its self.      (Gobs I promise you its true.)

[Aunt Sally]

I grew my carrots last year behind a barrier of enviromesh.   But it wasn't high enough  :cry:  The dreaded fly got in  :cry:

My mistake was to make it only18 inches high.  It will be at least 2 ft high this year.  You should install your barrier before you sow the seeds as once 1 fly has go in you've lost  :evil:

[Annie]

We use viromesh over hoops covering carrots and parsnips,pop it on when we sow with a few friendly slug pellets and leave until harvest.OH sneaked a bath onto the garden for carrots so I will be searching the archives for advice on that next.

[mkhenry]

We use viromesh over hoops covering carrots and parsnips,pop it on when we sow with a few friendly slug pellets and leave until harvest.OH sneaked a bath onto the garden for carrots so I will be searching the archives for advice on that next.

Make sure that you leave the plug out when you plant up.  

[Annie]

thanks mk,never thought of that!!! :roll: was wondering more about whether a bit of gravel in the bottom was a good idea and soil type to go in.

[Kanute]

Dust bins with holes drilled in the bottom works a treat.  Two bins will keep successonal sowings and keep you in carrots through Christmas.

For those only a little concerned with chemicals, my friend sprays his with parafin once just after they come up and again in full growth.  As I am not keen on anything petro-chemical I haven't tried it, but my friend swears by it

[mkhenry]

thanks mk,never thought of that!!! :roll: was wondering more about whether a bit of gravel in the bottom was a good idea and soil type to go in.

I always put broken plant pots in mine,or brick bats.  Then shop bought compost topped up with before planting with some growmore.  For carrots I normally put some manure in ,but a few months before I sow any plants.  I mix everything very well and compact it, but no too hard just so it settles.  Then water it a few times during the waiting time before sowing. You will need to watch out during the hot weather they do dry out very quickly.  I never have any trouble. Be very careful if you are using garden soil, it maybe contaminated.  I like the soil to start off sterile.
Werks for me anyway.

[Annie]

if you grow in bins then you wouldn`t need other protection surely because the carrot fly can`t fly that high?1