Carrot fly

[Reks]

hi all,
I have some fleece around my carrots to protect it from carrot fly. So far the carrot tops are looking good. Are there indications when the carrots are infected with carrot fly, or do I find out only when I dig the carrots? Also when can I remove the fleece. Most of my neighbouring plots have no protection around their carrots. I sowed some more a week back and they have sprouted. Do these also have to be protected. I read somewhere that carrot fly does not attach carrots sown after May. Is that true?

[zazen999]

hi all,
I have some fleece around my carrots to protect it from carrot fly. So far the carrot tops are looking good.

a - Are there indications when the carrots are infected with carrot fly, or do I find out only when I dig the carrots?

b - Also when can I remove the fleece. Most of my neighbouring plots have no protection around their carrots.

c -I sowed some more a week back and they have sprouted. Do these also have to be protected.

d- I read somewhere that carrot fly does not attach carrots sown after May. Is that true?

a - yes, the leaves sometimes turn red if they are being attacked

b - when you harvest them all - then remove the fleece

c - yes!!!

d - no it is true that June sown carrots are less susceptible, but unfortunately, the flies can sniff out carrots later in the season, just when you are wanting to harvest them for winter.

I've had good success growing with coriander HOWEVER as soon as the coriander dies in the autumn the carrots are ravaged.

I'm making some muslin 4 poster bed style covers for mine, they are just coming up and I want carrots this winter.

If you want clean carrots, fleece them from start to finish.

[OllieMartin]

I seen a peanut stand,
heard a rubber band,
seen a needle that winked its eye,
but I be done seen 'bout ev'rything,
when I see a carrot fly!

[Reks]

a - yes, the leaves sometimes turn red if they are being attacked

b - when you harvest them all - then remove the fleece

c - yes!!!

d - no it is true that June sown carrots are less susceptible, but unfortunately, the flies can sniff out carrots later in the season, just when you are wanting to harvest them for winter.

I've had good success growing with coriander HOWEVER as soon as the coriander dies in the autumn the carrots are ravaged.

I'm making some muslin 4 poster bed style covers for mine, they are just coming up and I want carrots this winter.

If you want clean carrots, fleece them from start to finish.

Thanks zazen999 - my fleece looks like it needs a change. Will remove and cover with scaffolding netting, I trust thats going to be good enough for the carrots.

[zazen999]

I seen a peanut stand,
heard a rubber band,
seen a needle that winked its eye,
but I be done seen 'bout ev'rything,
when I see a carrot fly!

Somebody needs a holiday

[OllieMartin]

Somebody needs a holiday

Sorry, thought this was Poetry Corner!

[zazen999]

Thanks zazen999 - my fleece looks like it needs a change. Will remove and cover with scaffolding netting, I trust thats going to be good enough for the carrots.

No - leave it be unless it has got holes in it. [where's the finger wagging smilie]

Carrot fly - she be small and will get through them big holes

[Reks]

No - leave it be unless it has got holes in it. [where's the finger wagging smilie]

Carrot fly - she be small and will get through them big holes

Well my OH set it up and was a bit impatient so i have 1 short canes in the 4 corners (I only sowed a line of carrots)and fleece wrapped around it. so it flies, drops depending on its windy or rains. But so far it has kept the carrot fly out (so I assume ....no red leaves yet), so was wondering if I need to make it a bit more sturdy.

[Two_Sheds]

I've got a bit of fly damage in the roots, but the leaves were perfect ... no reddening at all

[Maximillian]

Thanks for that! Was just getting ready to ask why I had some leaves that had turned red! Carrots are in a large tub and didn't think the pests coul get that high! Only a couple with red leaves. Shall I remove them and cover the rest?

[Alice]

I'm the same as Two Sheds. There were no red leaves at all but a few carrots def had carrot fly damage - and they were in pots 2 feet off the ground.

[Snadger]

No - leave it be unless it has got holes in it. [where's the finger wagging smilie]

Carrot fly - she be small and will get through them big holes

I have green debis netting around my carrots and enviromesh over them! I always thought 'the fly' was the size of a housefly? Whatever???????...............everything seems fine and dandy up til now!

[Bren In Pots]

I'm the same as Two Sheds. There were no red leaves at all but a few carrots def had carrot fly damage - and they were in pots 2 feet off the ground.

and here's me thinking it was safer to grow carrots in pots

[zazen999]

I'm the same as Two Sheds. There were no red leaves at all but a few carrots def had carrot fly damage - and they were in pots 2 feet off the ground.

I've got a bit of fly damage in the roots, but the leaves were perfect ... no reddening at all

I've edited the answer to say 'sometimes'

[Two_Sheds]

Only a couple with red leaves. Shall I remove them and cover the rest?

If red leaves indicates root damage, removing the leaves won't remove the damage or the maggots.
Pull one up and have a look-see.

I have carrots in tubs on my patio in an enclosed garden, but still the carrot fly has found them. Determined little bleepers.

Goodness knows what chemicals Tesco carrots are covered in to deter the fly