[vetskh]

Hello all.

I'm very excited as I've got my first allotment, spring is in the air and after a few months of just digging the allotment over, I can finally get some seed planted.

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice, please. I've planted some carrot seed, which should do v well in the sandy soil that we have, but another allotmenteer warned me that the risk of carrot fly is very high on our allotment, he suggests covering the carrots with garden fleece until I pick them. I was wondering if any one had any tips, wasn't sure if this was a bit extreme and what thickness fleece would still allow enough light through for growth. Also what kind of protection do I need for any other seeds. It's sounding expensive if I need to cover everything!

Some help much appreciated

[sunshineband]

Hi there Vetskh -- I'm sure you'll love your plot and learn absolutely masses from this forum too.

Carrot fly is attracted by the smell of the leaves so one way of keeping them away is to plant other strong smelling plants likje marigolds around them plus when you thin the carrots out do it late evning and just pull themn really carefully and don't leave the pulled ones lying about (you can eat them anyway however tiny)

Some people put up a barrier about 18 ins high all around and some cover them completely with close netting. Fleece is OK and will let enough light through and rain but I don;t like it 'cos it sqaushes the leaves a bit.

I make tunnels/ cloches out of plastic pipe curved over and fine netting and that does the job, togther with marigolds all arounfd the edge.

Hope all that helps. I expect others will also give you ideas as well as people are very knowledgeable and pass on lots of tips.

Good luck
SunshineB

[peapod]

Hi vetskh and welcome to our lovely madhouse home 

Ive moved this here for all our veggie growers to help you get more answers

[DD.]

If you go for a barrier, I'd make it at least 24" high.

It's not extreme, carrot root fly is very destructive.

[peapod]

I know its expensive, but if youve been warned by other plotters then heed it, you will lose your crop    I couldnt afford to lash out on netting, but it pays for itself in the end 

[Sharonx]

Hi Vetskh,
Although expensive I would invest in some fine netting. I lost all my carrots last year so will be doing everything I can to prevent that this year. I am going to build a 24" barrier out of heavy duty clear plastic and cover with mesh. I have just ordered mine, and this was the cheapest I could find. Think it's worth laying out now and there will be enough to cover other crops too

I got mine from www.harrodhorticultural.co.uk

Hope this helps

[DD.]

Make sure the polythene is UVI (Ultra violet inhibited), or it will go brittle quite quickly. The stuff I've got is on it's 4th season.

[8doubles]

Last year

I thought my carrots were safe growing in containers out of carrot fly range

I had never heard of carrot weevil

I have now!

               

Isn`t nature wonderful     

[Sharonx]

Didn't think about that DD, I just got a sheet from work that a mattress was delivered in. Where do you get UVI plastic from?

[DD.]

I think this was the place...

http://www.allplaz.com/acatalog/Ultra_Violet_Inhibited_Polythene_Sheeting.html

They used to have some 1300 mm wide that you cold chop in half with a sharp knife to give you two 2' rolls.

Have a Google!

[coo!]

Last year

I thought my carrots were safe growing in containers out of carrot fly range

I had never heard of carrot weevil

I have now!

               

Isn`t nature wonderful     

how high is out of carrot fly range can i put them in raised beds?

[Sharonx]

Thanks DD I will put an order in for some . These carrots are going to end up costing me a fortune! I'm having a competition with my brother to see who gets the best results this year so worth it 

[8doubles]

Last year

I thought my carrots were safe growing in containers out of carrot fly range
...
how high is out of carrot fly range can i put them in raised beds?

Popular opinion seems to be  around 2ft so you still might need the plastic screens on the raised bed if you think fly might be a problem.
If like me you prefer baby carrots i do recommend planting some in a 20"-24" container. I put in too much seed once and could not get my fingers into the compost to get them out. The 1/2 to 3/4" thick carrots were solid from side to side.

[vetskh]

Great thanks for the advice, sounds like these carrot flies can really cause some problems, I'll look into the links you've sent thanks, I would be gutted to not have any carrots from the allotment - they're so good from the garden!
Thanks for the warm welcome.

[andtiggertoo]

I am also growing carrots for first time this year. I am intending to grow them in between the rows of onions that I planted last autumn. This is following the principle of masking the smell of the carrots with the equally strong smell of onions.

I am growing in my own garden and there are no other veg growers nearby that I know of.

How succesful is this likely to be, or should I follow the advice above using fleece ?

Thanks