Topic: Onions and Carrots

[Pixie]

I have been reading Companion Planting by Richard Bird (fab book will do write up under books when I have finished) and it is advised to grow carrots and onions in rows next to each other as onions repel carrot flies and carrots repel onion flies.

Heres the but - do you rotate your onions as some books say that they like the same spot and benefit from not being rotated and if you don't rotate them would you plant them with carrots?

Sam

[busy_lizzie]

Pixie, My husband grew alternate rows of carrots and onions this year, and they were very successful.  Don't know if it has been a good year for carrots anyway though, as I have heard that the carrot fly don't like rainy conditions.  We are going to do the same thing next year so it will be interesting to see if it works then too. We always rotate our veggies, so will be trying the  same regime in another spot.  :) busy_lizzie

[tim]

The professionals rotate - they could not afford to get white rot. - Tim

[Pixie]

Thanks - I will rotate  ;D

(could have phrased that better!)

Sam

[Multiveg]

MV hopes Pixie doesn't get tooo dizzzyyy

Other carrot root fly deterrents include other onion thingies, as well as scorzonera, rosemary,  and sage.
A "foliar feed" made from elderberry leaves is also supposed to help with the fight against carrot root fly (and some other pests).