Allotments 4 All

hi  :)
would planting a row of marigolds between two rows of carrots be ok ? ???
would they disguise the smell from the carrot fly ? ::)
thanx
debs  :)

I am having a go too ,but will use the smaller french marigold ,suspect oh will wap a load
of fleece around bed too! belt and braces.

I'm going for belt and braces too.

Marigolds between rows, fleece covering. I even planted each seed individually in order to reduce thinning out - that hurt!

re, the thining bit my next sowing I will try the broadcast method
and compare.

Quote from: markfield rover on May 04, 2007, 16:06:12
re, the thinning bit my next sowing I will try the broadcast method
and compare.

I have done this method for my first year growing carrots in containers. Not sure if I broadcast enough. Wont be thinning them in one pot to see how they grow.

I previously posted this but in case you missed it When thining out do not pull the carrot but cut the top of above the soil with a small pair of scissors. As for distracting the fly place moth balls between the rows.

We successfully use the companion planting of marigolds with tomatoes and cucumbers against whitefly.  Apparently the tomato/cucumber plants take up 'some substance' which the whitefly do not like, and therefore leave the plants alone.

I think it was an article I read by Sarah Raven on companion planting, that to deter carrot root fly you should mix carrot seed and spring onion seed.  Apparently the smell of the onion disguises the smell of the carrots.  Have never tried it, so can't say how good it is, or more importantly, wether it works.  I suppose the same principle would apply with the marigolds, in disguising the smell of the carrot.  It'll be interesting to hear how it works out for you.

valmarg

I have always used a mix of pot marigolds, tagetes and sunflowers to attract in the predators (like hover flies, ladybirds, lacewing etc,) to keep pests at a low level and this seems to work. I haven't tried carrots and marigolds - but I believe from comparisons with where I haven't mixed seeds that the onion/carrot trick does work.

I also like to plant a lot of other insect friendly plants like borage, phaecelia, lavender, sweet pea around the plot to help attract the pollinators like bee's.

Also it makes the plot look very much like a cottage garden in summer - which I find very pretty. 

I have interplanted carrots with onions, but will try some marigolds and fleece and will get a flame thrower just in case. ??? ::) :o ;D ;D ;D

I have marigolds carrots and onions in a plot and only a few of the onions have started to pop up so i think we need a good rain and more heat and they should pop through.

My onions are about 10/12 inches up.  ;D ;D ;D