[DD.]

I refer you to my earlier post!

"Fly resistant" is not the same as "fly proof" unfortunately. The only sure fire way is a physical barrier.

[strangerachael]

If you have them really badly, the leaves may wilt and go yellow.

[/quote]

A pinkish tinge to the leaves is also a sign.

[lazza]

Aha! Well, I've learnt a lot... some fine mesh, a higher bed, sound good ideas, and pretty logical I suppose... but I didn't realise that you weren't supposed to handle carrots or give them a little tug to see if they're ready...   that may explain why the first half dozen picked 2 weeks ago were fine, and the rest weren't - as I cleared the soil from the top of several to see how big they were!

From what I'm reading here, I seem to have put up the carrot-fly equivalent of a flashing neon arrow: "Carrot diner, open 24h"  

[viettaclark]

You'd think that humans with big brains could outwit a little fly but they are pretty good at survival of the species.....to the detriment of OUR carrots!!
I still think insects, ivy and dandelions will take over the world......and carrot fly will survive as long as there are carrots growing!!
Debris netters unite!

[tosca100]

I know I said I was going to give up, but I have just emptied the last of our taters from a black dustbin and can't think what to put in, don't like to see it idle when there is still some "summer" left. The only thing I can think of is carrots....better find some netting!

[digalotty]

mine are all netted and doing fine,    but could you not boil them and stick em in the freezer or are they inedible once the fly strikes

[webby139]

Well, i dug 2 up last night, one from each end of the bed.
I then ran as fast as i could into the house 
No black markings, no yeloow leaves etc.
Put em in water and nothing popped out to see me. 

So fingers crossed, i'm ok for now.

Lets hope there not famous last words so to speak eh !!

Cheers, for the info again.

[compostqueen]

The best carrots I ever grew were in compost out of my pallet bin with some added grit sand and leafmould, all mixed into a small pallet top raised bed. No soil at all!  Sown in Feb, they took an age to germinate, but they got there and confounded all the criticis who said it would never work    They were covered all their life in Enviromesh

Don't give up! 

[JayG]

mine are all netted and doing fine,    but could you not boil them and stick em in the freezer or are they inedible once the fly strikes

Depends how badly affected they are; sometimes it's only a small section of the root so you can cut it away, sometimes the whole carrot is riddled with the yukky things! 

[DD.]

Just close your eyes and think of the extra protein!

[JayG]

Just close your eyes and think of the extra protein!

Nah! (Works for eating sugarsnap peas but orangutans don't like that much extra protein in their diet!)   

[DD.]

Even better if you don't wash them.

You can kid yourself that the crunchy bit's soil.

[digalotty]

Just close your eyes and think of the extra protein!

thats what i was thinking

[cooperman]

hmmm had lovely carrots this year, I know grow mine in raised beds with 50/50 loam based compost and horticultural sand. I add growmore and all purpose compost each year to top up...

[AnneB]

Every time I have grown them, whatever variety, in tubs off the ground or just in beds they have got carrot fly.  Until this year.  I covered them under fleece from the end of June when the fly is expected to appear.

Today I harvested large carrots with no fly damage.  Wonderful.