is it true that carrot fly can only fly a foot & a half of the ground or is my mate taking the ppppppppppppppppppp any one know TA
No, it isn`t true. When I first encountered fly the accepted means of keeping them from the crop was to have solid barriers 2ft or more high surrounding the bed. The fly were then reputed to zoom up over such barriers and over the top of the crop, missing it. Over successive years I found that barriers of ever increasing height up to 4 ft did not stop the fly from flying over the top and attacking the crop.
I have grown unprotected carrots 3 ft high up and no carrot flies have been near. So for me it works.
Must say Ive got a 2 foot fence around mine & no problems but then i may be Lucky?.
I grew carrots for the first time last year, and they were riddled with carrot fly. This year learnt that the flies only fly twice a year, in late spring and late summer, so I covered mine with horticultural fleece in March. For the first time - no holes in carrots! Eating them now and they are good!
Quote from: Skippy on August 11, 2005, 09:20:10
I grew carrots for the first time last year, and they were riddled with carrot fly. This year learnt that the flies only fly twice a year, in late spring and late summer, so I covered mine with horticultural fleece in March. For the first time - no holes in carrots! Eating them now and they are good!
Absolutely same thing with me. I've grown them in a covered raised bed and have had no problems
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/meatpaste/DSCF0190.jpg)
Skippy I think you're right about the timing. Mine were unaffected and lovely. I'm going to sow some more this month and hopefully the fly will be long gone