Allotments 4 All

I've been reading through the top tips which is loaded with great ideas- if one can remember to implement them!- and my plan is to try parsnips for the first time. One hint said, "My plot is sandy , so I just stick them in around end of March . I spot or station sow and space out to about nine inches . The result is a parsnip around four inches across and around eighteen inches long . They seem to get attacked by carrot fly , anybody know how to beat this , Ive tried everything , nothing seems to work .Might try the cds though - that works with pidgeons and keeps them off the cabbages.
  What is cds?

compact discs ??? ???  Some people think if you hang them near the plants it keeps the pigeons off - doesn't work with ours, they use them as mirrors to preen themselves.  Suppose carrot fly would do the same.

Carrot Fly are extremely territorial - so much so that if they see a reflection of themselves in a CD, they headbang themselves to death. ;D

They say they don't fly higher than about 18 inches ours are in a raised beds or 2 feet and we have never had carrot fly.

XX Jeannine

Now you may think Redclanger is being "funny"... but they really do commit suicide if they see their reflections...

Quote from: redclanger on February 05, 2008, 21:46:48
Carrot Fly are extremely territorial - so much so that if they see a reflection of themselves in a CD, they headbang themselves to death. ;D

Quote from: delboy on February 06, 2008, 09:14:25
Now you may think Redclanger is being "funny"... but they really do commit suicide if they see their reflections...

Can't help myself ............. ???

How do you know this .........  ;D

Plant strong smelling plants round them like garlic chives, or marigolds, the Nasties will hopefully keep away! If you look in the swap section I'm giving marigold seeds away.

Reminded me of a story about one of our local landlords. He told my friend that in order to get rid of fruit flies he used to creep up behind them in the morning with the hoover. My mate said "how do you know which way they're facing?".

I can completely understand wanting to commit suicide when looking at my reflection!
That aside, it sounds very strange for a fly. Has anyone actually tried hanging cds and seeing a difference?

Also, didn't you have to water very frequently if you grow parsnips two feet high in raised beds?

It's carrots they go after, I don't think they like parsnips.  But they're low fliers, hence raising the plants.  And yes, we've found that raised beds do need more watering, on the other hand, they drain better - which can only be a good thing with all the rain we seem to be getting.  :) :) :)

James Blunt cds seem to have the biggest deterrent effect. Trouble is, now i'm too scared to go near the plot

Quote from: Rhubarb Thrasher on February 06, 2008, 16:57:50
James Blunt cds seem to have the biggest deterrent effect. Trouble is, now i'm too scared to go near the plot

Heaven forbid, Thrasher, you don't have to play the CDs to them. I'd be scared to go near your plot if you did that.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I'd recommend hanging them with wire rather than string as the sharp edges of the CDs cuts through string if it gets windy. I've used them as bird scarers rather than carrot fly scarers.