Allotments 4 All

I put in a row of fly resistant carrots from Unwins, variety "Flyaway" back in June and started to lift them this month.
Alas, every one is affected by carrot fly and some very badly.  It hardly seems worth the expense if this is the result.  The seeds cost about 3 times the cost of ordinary carrot seed, and for what.  

Once I sowed the seeds I left them strictly alone and didn't even weed close to the row.  They stood alone and were not covered.  They were undisturbed from the day they were sown to the day I lifted the first lot.

Has anyone else on the Forum tried this type out before, and with what results.

Peter

I tried them one year and found the crop just as badly affected as any other variety, plus they didn't taste of anything, so I didn't bother again. This year, as well as my usual in-the-ground Autumn King, I put some Nantes Frubund (freebie pack) in compost in a half-height oil drum - got a magnificent crop with not a sign of fly damage, but they don't taste of anything either! Carrots are not the easiest crop, are they....

I have been quite pleased this year by Nantes 5 done better than other nantes types though in the same bed.

Make sure you Email or write to Unwins and ask for a refund Pete, as you said, they are not cheap.    :( 

Not tried that variety petefj,but another Nante 5 convert here.

We only got the plot half way thru last season and I just "stabbed a hole,and healed em in" as me grandad would have suggested but at ground level they suffered from carrot fly.

So having a "glass back"and the need not to have to bend over so much and hopefully get above the flies normal flying altitude... ;) I constructed a 4 x euro pallet composter(2.5 feet height),and filled it with compost apart from the last foot or so which has fine riddled compost/peat and Horticultural sand mixed together and sprinkled away with the Nantes seeds....best thing ive done...the carrots have been healthy and long(ish) and tasty.

Ok,so its only a small patch but im happy to build a couple more and try other varieties.

and yes,me neighbours think im mad having to construct summit when there is  perfectly good dirt at ground level,I just tell em "yes ,I am mad",but its fun though.... :P

I wish you better luck with your carrots pete..!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gazza1960

I tried some a couple of years back with terrible results.

This year I made up a 2-3 ft cage with horticultural mesh tied on and so far (I am 2/3 of a row in) not a single mark.
This is the first year I have ever grown a reasonable crop - Autumn King 2 and chantenay - the latter are very tasty..
Forget fly resistant varieties and plant something reliable and tasty AND BUILD BARRIERS!!!!

Fleece or environmesh will keep root fly away.

Quotewrite to Unwins and ask for a refund

I often think I do not ask for enough refunds on seeds.

Quote from: cornykev on September 06, 2011, 17:17:08
Make sure you Email or write to Unwins and ask for a refund Pete, as you said, they are not cheap.    :( 

I did, but no reply as yet.  I shall not let this rest I don't think.  Resistant is resistant, no halfway measures as far as the average customer is concerned.

Peter

I also tried Flyaway and found it similarly affected by root fly damage. However, since I have been using pelleted seed from Franchi and just earth the plants up well when they start growing, I have had very little carrot root fly damage...coincidence? Works for me! :)

I did the same - sowed several rows of Resistafly carrots, was careful not the disturb them, but I didn't get around to netting them (bit lazy, having made the mistake of believing the marketing guff on the back of the seed packet. All were horribly munched. Won't bother next time- will just choose carrots based on flavour and make sure I get the enviromesh up pronto next time.

Flyaway and Resistafly last year were both rubbish, even with barriers put up.

This year have tried a two pronged attack:

1  Used old water tanks for sirocco, creme de lite, and nantes 2

2  Used mesh bought from Gardening- Naturally and Harrod Horticultural for Nigel and Autumn King, Yellowstone and some others bought from Real Seeds(we really like carrots)

The Nantes 2 were hit hard by the dreaded fly, even though 2 feet 6 inches above ground. All the others are great.