I've always grown carrots under fleece to keep off the dreaded fly,but it doesn't look very pretty, so next year I thought I'd try alternate rows of onions and carrots, which is supposed to fool the fly.
I'm a bit sceptical about claims re companion planting. So my question is - has anyone tried this, and does it actually work?
Sue
Didn't work for us so we use enviromesh and still keep our fingers firmly crossed, Sue.
Yes, tried it; and no, it didn't work --- not for me at any rate. :(
All best - Gavin
Environmesh, Wicker ? - you are talking about the fine variety?? Otherwise, I would have thought fleece more effective? = Tim
Yes, Tim, very very fine and recommended by suppliers for protect from carrot fly - only decent results we have had have been since we started using it. Oops that'll be tempting fate then - wheres an emoticon for fingers crossed! More people on our site are using it now for other crops too - it's not so cheap but with looking after will last for years :) whilst fleece (even washed in a pillowslip!) is fragile :(
Thanks for the replies, people. Seems like 100% no-no! Perhaps enviromesh would be better-looking than fleece.
Sue
they say you need 3 rows of onions to each row of carrots for it to be effective.
i am trying to plant mine outside the main carrot fly season and use garlic spray, while surrounding them with chives and shallots.
dunno if it'll work - never grown a carrot before ;D
As well as onions & other alliums, scorzonera may also deter carrot root fly.