Removing carrot protection

timdunn · « **on:** August 28, 2012, 10:28 »

Hello,

I have carrots under a material called 'Wondermesh' to keep 'those' flies at bay, can anyone tell me whether I can remove the mesh now i.e. are Carrot Fly still about?

I want to remove the mesh to allow the foliage more space to grow.

Thanks!

Tim

Kleftiwallah · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2012, 12:57 »

There is a theory that 'that darned fly' only flies low, so could you not use the material as a wall around the sides and leave the top open to allow more foliage?

Cheers, Tony.

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2012, 13:38 »

I had my carrots under fleece, but now they have a little 4ft 'fence' of debris netting round them.

I just don't trust the carrot fly!!!

mumofstig · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2012, 13:49 »

Even Autumn sown carrots get carrot fly so I guess the mesh has to stay where it is.

Quote

There are usually two distinct generations of carrot fly each season, although in some areas there may be three.
April/May: First generation adult females lay eggs in cracks in soil near suitable host plants. Eggs hatch into larvae after about a week. These enter the roots and start feeding, developing into mature adults within three months.
July/August: Second generation flies lay their eggs. Some of these will develop into adult flies by autumn; others survive as larvae through the winter in carrot roots.

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/factsheets/pc17.php

solway cropper · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2012, 23:20 »

Agree with mum, leave the mesh in place and don't believe that old idea that carrot fly stay close to the ground. In my experience they have no trouble getting four feet up. If you've got carrots those little bu**ers will find them.

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2012, 23:34 »

Well they haven't found mine yet!

DD. · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2012, 06:34 »

Quote from: Garden Organic

July/August: Second generation flies lay their eggs. Some of these will develop into adult flies by autumn; others survive as larvae through the winter in carrot roots.

I wouldn't say that we're out of the woods yet and I don't think carrot fly carry a calendar around with them so that you can say you're safe on 1st September!

Kirpi · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2012, 08:12 »

I grow my carrots in upturned dalek composters so the carrot are too high for the carrot fly - works for me.

timdunn · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2012, 17:56 »

Thanks for the advice folks!

Looks like I'll be leaving the mesh where it is, although it would be a brave fly who braves the current cold snap we're having in the NE of Scotland

Cheers,

Tim

Madame Cholet · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2012, 20:09 »

I've mixed my carrots with nigella seeds worked so far

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Removing carrot protection

timdunn

Removing carrot protection

Kleftiwallah

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GrannieAnnie

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mumofstig

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solway cropper

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GrannieAnnie

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DD.

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Kirpi

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timdunn

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Madame Cholet

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