Allotments 4 All

I have been told that a carrot fly can only fly a certain distance from the ground and raised beds are the answer. Does anyone know if this is true and if so, how high should the bed be? ???

They don't normally fly above about 18" :).

hi, emmy, we have raised beds and cover them with fleece, fingers crossed, no carrot fly damage  :)

Ha ha, so it's true. Gonna give it a go and fingers crossed as I have never grown a successful carrot crop yet! :o

On a still day, not very high, but I'm sure if there is an upwardly air current, they drift as high as the current takes them.

I'm sure Nick at barnsdale said 6 inches... but i could be wrong.

I think it's more when you thin or pick the carrots..they're attracted to the smell..better to do it and cover up as quickly as possible  :)

Manics, do you keep them constantly covered? EJ -good point, hadn't considered that. Will bear all wise words in mind.
On Steve Partridges fantastic site he's planted his compost heap up, can't think what with. This year as I'm still pulling up couch grass from two thirds of lottie I'm just having one bed.
The compost heap is about 5' x 3' and stands about 3 & 1/2' high. Although the previous tenant did not a lot else but drink in his shed he did still keep whacking stuff on his heap so I've inherited some lovely compost- (once I'd pulled out countless beer cans, bits of metal, wood, random bits of plant etc)
I'm eyeing it as potential carrot home. What do you think?

Thin on a cloudy day or in the evening, I'm interplanting with onions.

I'm going to belt and braces with onions and marigolds and fleece.

With our wind, i don't think they could stay to 18" if they tried.

;D

I'm pretty sure my books all say a 24" wall of fleece will do the trick (that's about 61cm for young persons).

Alternatively....

"Plant carrots and leeks together in the vegetable patch. Leeks repel carrot fly and carrots repel onion fly and leek moth. The confusion of scents means the insects stay away."

from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/organic_companionplanting.shtml

Or both :)

I solved the carrot problem by filling an old frame with compost and sowing into that.... now I have moved on to carrots on the flat!
:)

Manics, do you keep them constantly covered? by emmy

yes, we have a permanent carrot bed, hoops over, covered with fleece..start planting end feb with an early variety..we get a really good crop every year  ;D

In sum - if you use fleece, raised or flat doesn't matter?

Thanks Manics, sounds like a plan. Barnowl, will also give the leeks and carrots together a go too. Thanks all!

Quote from: emmy1978 on February 12, 2007, 16:56:52
The compost heap is about 5' x 3' and stands about 3 & 1/2' high. Although the previous tenant did not a lot else but drink in his shed he did still keep whacking stuff on his heap so I've inherited some lovely compost- (once I'd pulled out countless beer cans, bits of metal, wood, random bits of plant etc)
I'm eyeing it as potential carrot home. What do you think?

As long as the compost is not too rich. Root crops don't need rich soil, it only encourages leafe growth. I know it's not recommended to grow carrots on manured ground because they will fork.

O.k thanks Dandelion. I did have a check of the veg book and said same there. Will have a think.

Hi Emmy  :)

Just cover your carrots in fleece or net then neglect them for months.

The less I poke around with carrots the less carrot fly I get, and the better my carrots are. I don`t weed them, thin them or look at them unless I`m taking a few to eat. Then I just lift up the net enough to get my hand through and no more. I pull what I want and earth up any that get disturbed.

I plant in several small blocks in succession, some plantings are eaten young and some are left. I`m sure they thrive on neglect.

Best of luck, Col

Hi all,
          do as Col cover with fleece and leave well alone. The C/fly is attracted by the smell of carrots that have been brushed against or touched. Don't go carrot picking go carrot robbing be in and out very quick and cover the carrots as quick.
By the way on a breezy day my grandsons kite gets up to 50 yards in the sky so just how high can a carrot fly fly or should I say soar.
Regards Peter

Cheers guys, have to say I like idea of covering and leaving as I'll have my hands full with enough projects without worrying about carrot fly!!