protection against carrot root fly

[Susiebelle]

Sorry to ask ( I know I should be able to find my way around the site better) but where do I find Tee Gee's spent compost thread? obviuosly tried search but don't seem to be able to find.

[Susiebelle]

[1066]

there's a couple of threads that come up if you search for re used compost and add Tee Gee to the search name box. Wasn't sure if this was what you wanted?
1066

[Tee Gee]

As I recall I referred to this extract from my web page on carrots;

In manured ground insert blade of spade into the bed and push it backwards & forwards to form a 'V' shaped trench.

Trickle in a proprietary potting compost* into the trench and sow the seed as previously described.

This method is particularly beneficial in dry seasons.

i.e. the manure retains sufficient moisture in the ground between rain showers to keep the carrots going.

This method also reduces the chances of stunted or forked growth.

* You can substitute any used compost e.g from seed trays pots etc providing it wasn't used for diseased plants and the roots were all seived out of it.

The full link is here; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Carrot/Carrot.htm

[Susiebelle]

Yes it was 1066 thank you.
Tee Gee your a Gent. if patience is a virtue you  must be the most virtuous person I have come across thank you.

[siandc]

We're planting carrots and onions in close proximity in the hope this will confuse them.

[tonybloke]

it won't ! use netting ;)

[gardentg44]

Thanks TeeGee on your piece on Bromophos,

If it works it shold last years.


kes

[davyw1]

Having tried about every method one can think of go with what Tony says, use fleece or fine netting.
There are other methods that will give you some reasonable chance of getting a crop such as planting the seed in a shallow drill and back fill  as the carrot top grows and then earth up arround making it to deep for the fly to get to the carrot.
Don,t plant till about mid June.
Things i have tried,
Rope soaked in Jeys Fluid and layed alongside the row of carrors
Rope soaked in Kerosine and laid in gurrering alongside.
Moth Balls in neeting bags and suspended along the rows.
Sprayed the carrot top with a mild solution of Jeys Fluid
Sowed between onions.
None works as good as fleece

[gwynleg]

What about the tall container method - does that work (I have this year put carrots in a dustbin)? Will I still need fleece?!

[saddad]

Should be OK in a dustbin without fleece... if the slugs don't lay off the fly will go hungry on my Lottie...  >:(

[Buster54]

I had some in a dustbin last year(although it was my first year for everything)it was a haven for wood lice and snails  :-X

[the-goodlife]

i fleece mine & sow in a wide trench like you would sow peas, had a very good result too saves on thinning out,.

try this link

http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/vegetable-plant-growing-advice-ggid45.html

all i know on these little beggers is they only fly 18" high as they dont like hights!

and are around from march till june, touch wood they havent found mine yet next to the garlic :-\

[davyw1]

Quite a few well knowledgable gardeners on this site have said it time and time again about the carrot fly not being able to fly above 18" is a load of rubbish.
They only fly below 18" untill you plant your carrots in a 2ft 6" trench then they fly at the hight of 2ft 7"

[hopalong]

Planting your carrots surrounded by onions and chives seems to be the method for deterring carrot root fly that works best for me and other people I know.  Crop rotation is also essential.

[grannyjanny]

I've edged one side of  the roots bed with Welsh onions in the hope it might help to deter them.
Janet

[oliveoyl_25]

Scorzonera is a companion plant for carrots - it's supposed to repel carrot fly.

[the-goodlife]

have a read!!

http://www.wernethallotsoc.org.uk/problems/carrot-root-fly.php

[tonybloke]

carrot fly are a very small, weak-flying insect, and according to some can't fly very high from the ground.
Leaves and Snow-Flakes are also very weak flyers, but that does not stop them being BLOWN OVER my 7ft high fence!!!

Fleece them, or lose them!

[Eristic]

and according to some can't fly very high from the ground.

It has also been said that bumble bees cannot fly.

I would assume that somewhere in the region of 18" above ground level is probably an optimum height for accurate carrot location and as such the fly chooses to cruise at this heirgt. It would almost certainly fly higher should it find itself in a non-productive area then it would home in on far weaker carrot signals.

[grannyjanny]

Is it more a problem on allotments where lots of people are growing them, might it be easier to grow them in the garden at home. Just a thought. (I have them, but only occasionally) ;D ;D ;D.
Janet