[MyAchingBack]

DD suggests no.

[trampyjoe]

DD suggests no.

Yet every book I've read (good and bad) says yes.

I feel an experiment coming on!

[MyAchingBack]

DD suggests no.

Yet every book I've read (good and bad) says yes.

I feel an experiment coming on!

Go on then. I will wait for your results 

[DD.]

In the meantime, I'll continue with the Enviromesh, as I know the onion trick didn't work for my neighbouring plot holders who have tried it.

However, they're your carrots you won't be eating later in the year!

[DD.]

The single-most authorative website is http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk

They have this to say "Covering the crop with Enviromesh or similar is the best method of fly control".

And" Onions can only be effective when the onions are in active leaf growth. Best results come from four rows of onions for every one of carrots and the beneficial effects will diminish as the onions start to bulb."

Four rows of onions to protect one of carrots seems an imbalance in the use of space to me.

[MyAchingBack]

In the meantime, I'll continue with the Enviromesh, as I know the onion trick didn't work for my neighbouring plot holders who have tried it.

However, they're your carrots you won't be eating later in the year!

Do you lay the Enviromesh on the ground or use over hoops to make a tunnel?

[JayG]

In my experience relying on companion planting presents a substantial risk, growing either above 2-3 feet, or inside a screen of about the same height still presents a slight risk, and enviromesh or similar almost no risk (unless you don't peg it down properly or your luck is really out on the day/s you decide to weed them.)

You need to use support for the netting to give the carrots room to grow (they need at least a foot of headroom.)

[DD.]

Shields up, red alert! My defences:



Don't forget that carrot fly also go for parsnips and they are under there as well. I would have to grow 20 rows of onions to comply with the recommendations of the carrot website.

[MyAchingBack]

That’s it! That’s what I’m going to do! Could I grow all my root veg (less potatoes) and my onions all under ther at the same time? I've never had an allotment before so I really am desperate for information!!!

[Paul Plots]

That’s it! That’s what I’m going to do! Could I grow all my root veg (less potatoes) and my onions all under ther at the same time? I've never had an allotment before so I really am desperate for information!!!

It looks like DD has it covered!

What a posh job. Poor carrot fly... homeless. 

[JayG]

I don't bother netting my parsnips - although they do suffer attack from carrot fly which usually results in some canker they don't get completely trashed like carrots do.

As for allium crops, up to now I've not had to bother, and am hoping I don't have to go the trouble, expense and unsightliness of doing so, although it would appear that the allium leaf miner is steadily working its way northwards, and may already be in your area. 

[DD.]

At the moment there's no need for me to net onions.

However the leek moth has reached our latitude and they're next on the list for mesh.

[JayG]

At the moment there's no need for me to net onions.

However the leek moth has reached our latitude and they're next on the list for mesh.

Oh yes, them too! 

(Note to self - reduce British Alcan, strong buy Enviromesh shares!) 

[DD.]

I'm not bothered, got fingers in both pies!

[trampyjoe]

Just want to clarify .. Not doubting you for a moment DD I'm just curious (being of a scientific mind) why there is so much said about companion planting if it just doesn't work.
4 rows of onions to 1 row of carrots is a bit of overkill, just as well we use a lot of onions 

Better go find those links to the cheap mesh.