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Oh dear. I have had some really good leeks this year but I now find that I have leaf miner in about a third of them. So, how can I now ensure that they aren't around next year? I really need to disinfect the soil in that particular raised bed. Has anyone any ideas how this could be done please?
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I don't think there is any sterilisation of the soil which would work, there are no chemicals to prevent or control the leafminer in leeks and other onion type crops.
The first and absolutely essential measure is to practice good crop rotation. It sounds like you have been growing leeks in the same bed for more than a year or two, not a good idea. Crop rotation is the key. The eggs are now in the soil ready to emerge in 2014 so even covering with mesh will only lock the flies in when they emerge. -
It was the first time I had used this raised bed. However, the soil I sieved into it did come from a bed that had onion white root rot two years ago!!Comment
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Disinfecting the soil won't achieve anything at all.Originally posted by DannyRam View Post
The pest is laid by a fly or a moth, which lays eggs on the leek itself. You need to place a barrier (fine enviromesh) over the whole crop, at all times.
Factsheet about Allium leaf miner
When your leeks are infested, all is not lost though: slice the leek off just below soil level (leaving the roots intact) and the leek will regrowAll gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.Comment
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