Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi
Can anyone out there help me out of a fix. I have only been growing my own veg for a short while but have come up against a bit of a problem with carrots. I have had two rows about forty feet long devestated by some sort of bug. All of the carrots have had their root ends eaten off and the main shaft is peppered with tiny holes. I think it is some sort of worm or maggot.
Please any advise would be great.

James

It is the dreaded carrot root fly and their maggots. They can devastate a whole crop of carrots. The only control is prevention, keep them covered from start to finish. Sounds as if you have a severe case and may not be able to salvage much of the crop.

Ian

It's very annoying and happened to me a few years ago!

Since then I've invested in some enviromesh and problem solved!

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My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

How awful for you James Definately sounds like Carrot Root Fly. I hope you manage to find some salvageable roots. For future referance, Snadger is right, a covering of Enviromesh is ideal to keep them out, or fleece, well secured all along all of the edges. Also suggested is companion planting of marigolds or onions or garlic to try to mask the smell of the carrots, and/or growing in a raised bed as carrot fly supposedly only fly below 60cm. There's still just about time to sow some more, if you grow a fast-maturing variety like 'Early Nantes', but sow them in a different area to avoid whatever bugs might be still in the soil, and keep them covered up!

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Sarah

http://wixypixies.blogspot.com/

“Tell me one last thing,” said Harry. “Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?”
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”