Organic ways again Carrot Fly [Psila rosae]
26 March 2010 10:34:52
On a wonderful day with good weather some seed trays will be moved out to the greenhouse and tunnel to spend a few hours there.Now that the nights have picked up a little,some vegetable trays will be left out there until ready for outer plantings.Hopefully this spell will hold on for another while.We dont want signs of warm damp weather bringing back reminders of Potato blight [Phytophthora infestans] later in the year.
Carrot Fly [Psila rosae].
Our enemy the carrot flies will be warming up for battle stations attack on the likes of carrots,parsnips.They have two generations during summer.Damage from June to July,and from August to November.The maggots of them are thin,orange white larve about .5 of an inch long.They are quite an annoying pest.1 Netting can be used or fleece. 2 Only thin your carrots on a damp day.This will help keep scent under control some of the way.3 Make sure to bury any foliage you remove in the middle of your compost heap.If the thinnings are left on top the carrot flies will scent them and invade for attack..4 Try to have the carrots grown in an open sight.The flies prefer under cover a little if possible.Carrots and onions will help defend each other.The scent of the carrots will help again onion fly and in return the scent of onions will help again carrot fly.
Slugs,will be paying a visit but hand picking them in the evening is a good way again them.Keep eyes peeled in around areas you choose,as they are fond of going back to the same spot if not already been captured.