[Alfies Dad]

Last year I grew Early Nantes and Autumn King Carrots and Gladiator Parsnips (Marshalls seeds) on a new veg plot which had previously been grassland.  Soil is fairly light and sandy.
The problem I had was that all roots developed a brown canker type disease which left nearly all of the crop rotting.

Any ideas on what caused this problem and how to avoid this year would be appreciated.  Also any suggestions for alternative varieties to grow to minimise problem.

On a seperate note, having spent nearly £100 on seeds from Marshalls last year and finding some very poor results, I will not be buying from them again. Perhaps I should try Suttons?

Alfies Dad

[DD.]

I'll whizz this to the GYO forum, but please pop back to the Welcome Forum to introduce yourself.

Grassland turned to growing can harbour a few species of nasties, which will get better with time. Did you use any protection against carrot fly? They can wound parsnips which in turn can let in canker.

[MoreWhisky]

£100 wow how muchland u got

[JayG]

I grew Gladiator last year on my sandy soil and got a great crop, although I would be lying if I said they were 100% canker-free.

Gladiator are supposed to have some canker resistance; perhaps growing carrots near them is just providing too much encouragement to the carrot flies.

I would move and/or net (or give up with!) the carrots; netting parsnips is much more difficult due to their height and the area they take up and shouldn't really be necessary if you are prepared for a little bit of damage.

(Slightly high-risk advice here; others may disagree!)

[DD.]

I grow mine together & cover with enviromesh, just held up with a few short posts.

Not a trace of fly this year, more effective than the polythene barrier previously used, (although that was an improvement on nothing at all).

[Fisherman]

I grew Gladiator parsnips from Marshalls and they grew well although the ones I still have in the ground have some canker. This was I believe caused / excelerated by carrot root fly. I also plan to cover them with Enviromesh this year to see if I can eliminate the problem completely. I started lifting the parsnips in early August and still have a reasonable crop left.

I also grew lots of other Marshall seeds with great success. I think there is a bit of luck involved when sowing direct i.e. soil condition, temperature, pests etc. I must admit though I try to start seeds off in controlled conditions to get the best germination rates.

[viettaclark]

Don't wireworm like grassland? Do they do damage to roots?

[horsepooisgood]

I grow mine together & cover with enviromesh, just held up with a few short posts.

Not a trace of fly this year, more effective than the polythene barrier previously used, (although that was an improvement on nothing at all).

Bit early for the fly Dave!!!

[DD.]

I have carrots in the ground still with no trace of fly!

[cudders]

Not had great results last two years, same with parsnips..

Last chance saloon for both this year! 

Cudders

[Goosegirl]

Wireworms are more prevalent on newly dug grassland. They will get less as you cultivate the soil.