Topic: rubharb leaves as a carrot fly deterrent

[ginger james]

hi i heard somewhere that the leaves off rubharb soaked in water make a good deterrent for carrot fly but cant remeber if you have to add somethink else to it have had it in soak now for a bit an really does stink help please

[shirlton]

Well the leaves layed under the gooseberries certainly stops the sawfly so I am thinking of putting some leaves around any crop who's pests live in the soil

[Digindep]

Use rhubarb leaves on a regular bassis, first signs of ants and blackfly on the broadies this year out with the spray..no more problems ..so far...
Others on our site spray their brassicas with the solution...seems to work for them....
Until something else comes along I will continue to have it on standby... ;)

If nothing else at least it makes you feel as though your trying.... ;)   :D

[elvis2003]

ooohhh never heard of this before,thanks people will try it!

[admjh1]

What a brill idea.Do you soak the leaves in a bucket and use the water as a spray ? Or just lie the leaves on top of the soil. Oh and is it to late to protect my gooseberries?

[shirlton]

I have used the rhubarb tea but couldn't use it where I wanted cos it kills everything not just the pest

[Digindep]

If it kills everything then the mix is to strong. Not had that problem ever and I use it on a regular basis. Depending on origional mix, approx 10% rhubarb tea and 90% clean water.(any spray bottle from under the kitchen sink and add the odd drop of washing- up liquid= stickability  ;) )
Used it only yesterday, hands still reek of the bally stuff, but if does the job intented I'll continue.
Some of these oldie methods work well, some of you may disagree with them..
my way of thinking is its basically a natural weapon in the gardeners armoury.
Have a great season... ;)

[Karen Atkinson]

I'm sure I rad somewhere that rhubarb leaves are toxic - does this not matter in this case then if you're spraying veg to be eaten?

[Robert_Brenchley]

You won't get much oxalic on the skin, and in any case, most of us wash our veg at some point! It'll come off with no problems.