novice gardener

[hawthorns]

hello, im looking for some advice as im a novice gardener. i have just sown some Nantes frubund carrot seeds (fast crop) into my plot next to some of the same seed ive grown in my greenhouse they are about 2cm high. i have made up a poly tunnel and they are under cover. do i need to keep them this way until i harvest them.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Hello, hawthorns, welcome to the Vine!

THe reason that covering carrots is a good idea is that it should stop attacks from carrot fly - except I was reading today that Sep is a month when they are active, and you need to make sure that you are not trapping them 'in' with your polytunnel rather than keeping them 'out'....

[hawthorns]

hello hazel thanks for the advice what do the flies look like. do i keep them covered for the duration

[Hazel at the Hill]

Too small to see (I think) and yes - for the duration. Flies are attracted by the smell of the carrots, so don't thin them out unless you really really have to.

[hawthorns]

ok thank u

[Fred Perry]

Hello Hawthorn,
I Prepared a raised bed, placed potted peas in bed. Made a 3ft frame with
1"x 1"x 4ft wooden stakes then strung the stakes in all directions. Surrounded frame with fleece and top cover with fleece secured by drawing pins.

When peas matured, took fleece top off then a few weeks later reduced sides to half hight.
This kept the birds off and gave an exellent early crop concidering I live on the North East coast.
I am going to try this next year for Carrots as companion planting with Onions, Marigolds and Shallots did'nt do so well.
All the best to all
Fred Perry
North East Coast.