Carrots

MonkeyPuzzle

I sowed carrot seed in early July, when I went away I shrouded the emerging foliage with fleece where it still remains. Does anyone know if there’s a cut-off time when carrot fly won’t be a problem and I can remove the fleece?

nick615

Your lack of replies, MonkeyPuzzle, may be symptomatic.  After a couple of disasters I pretty much gave up on carrots altogether, but a few years back I 'cloched' mine with a continuous row of square 5-litre water containers (obviously with the bottoms cut off), held in place by a stick through each.  It was the nearest I've come to an acceptable crop, but the fly seems to be a persistent little blighter.

MonkeyPuzzle

Thanks nick615. In the past I’ve had 16” high rectangles of Perspex all around with tapes and sticks to hold in place, but didn’t have time this year. The fleece is fine at present so I’ll persevere for the present. If I get a good crop I’ll let you know

bertrand-mabel

We gave up sowing carrots outside some years ago and have sown them in our polytunnel with great success. Until this year! But this is down to the heat and poor germination and not carrot fly.

Uff

I gave up trying to grow carrots years ago because of the fly but last year I tried this method below. Doesn't look very pretty and I would need to grow more if I wasn't on my own but it worked very well so I've done it again this year. Recycling 2 half plastic barrels topped by bubble wrap. I used the b. wrap rather than fleece because of where I live plus it gives me an earlier crop. 

MonkeyPuzzle

Excellent uff, I might try bubble wrap next year. Sorry about your crop Bertrand-Mabel, hope you’ve got lots of other lovely crops to substitute 

nick615

Thanks Uff.  You've given me an idea for next year.