Tips to beat carrot root fly

 

MY garden has terrible carrot root fly, which ruins carrot crops. Adults are attracted to the smell of bruised foliage and lay their eggs in the soil -  the larvae munch through the roots, rendering them useless.

 

I've tried so-called resistant varieties, growing under fleece, growing very hardy varieties over winter in pots more than 2ft off the ground (the adults can only fly that high) with poor results.

 

However, here's some other ideas to beat them:

 

Plant spring onions and mint alongside carrots to deter the pests.

 

Reduce the risk of an attack by thinning plants in the evening on a still day. It's important to sow thinly, as removing the excess seedlings is what attracts the carrot root fly.

 

To thin, water the seedlings well so you don't break the roots. Leave seedlings at 2-4cm apart. After three-four weeks, repeat so they are 5-10cm apart.

 

Best of all, grow in a bed covered in Enviromesh.