Carrot fly and covering

[Jimmy]

I always have trouble with carrot fly.
I know a barrier 2 foot high will deter them as will total covering like a small poly tunnel.

My question is, when do you need to protect.
Once seed is sown there must be a time when protection is not required.
And once developed is there period at end where carrot fly aren't around.

Thanks Jimmy

[Snadger]

I know there are a couple of main carrot fly probability dates (can't remember when without googling)but I usually wait to make sure the carrots have germinated then cover straight away.
I take the covers off after the first frost.

[Nicos]

I leave fleece over them all the time!
And plant chives, spring onions, onions and shallots around the edges.
Not had any problems at all since I started doing that.

[Penellype]

I plat my carrots in 30 litre buckets and tie an insect mesh square over it, which I find helps keep moisture in as well as unwanted beasties out. As soon as I remove the square (when they germinate) I put the buckets under a net. The net stays in place as long as it isn't going to be covered in snow.

[ameno]

Carrot fly aren't up and about yet early in the year, which is why early sowings of early carrots often avoid damage.
Personally, I'd cover from early or mid-May onwards, just to be on the safe side.

[Dynamo]

I grow mine in these big black pots on top of the fertilizer buckets. I've found that their distance from the ground is enough to stop any carrot fly attacks.

[Bren In Pots]

I grow a lot of my carrots in buckets with netting tied around the top it seems to work.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I know a barrier 2 foot high will deter them as will total covering like a small poly tunnel.

First is a total myth and it annoys me immensely that even some prominent tv gardening presenters perpetuate this. Even carrots grown for exhibition in 4ft high barrels suffer if not covered with a protective barrier.

Polytunnels need and have doors and ventilators and carrot fly will and does get in. Cover your carrots indoors as well.

[rary]

Like AP I get annoyed by people saying that you won't get any bother if there is a 2ft. barrier, from experience I know it is a load of nonsense, but if you want to purchase some 2ndhand micromesh try contacting Wondermesh - Home, I purchased some mesh there 5years ago and found it very good and a good price, so hope it is still avaliable