Carrot Root Fly precautions

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Last year I used Enviromesh for the first time, to protect my carrots from the Carrot Root Fly, and I am now a convert. Carrot Root Fly infestation is more or less inevitable if carrots are not protected, and the results can be devastating.

The manufacturer’s website describes Enviromesh like this:-

“Enviromesh is a fine mesh netting, woven from U.V. stabilised polyethylene.  The mesh size is 1.35mm.  The weight is around 55g/m2, light passage 90% and air passage 75%.  The material is very durable.  In tests, it showed no deterioration after continuous exposure for a period of 60 months.  In practice, Enviromesh has lasted a period of more than 10 years.”

Having seen the results of using this material, I shall be using it for the foreseeable future!

These are my maincrop carrots, duly protected:

There are three rows of carrots under there, as well as one row of beetroot.

And these are my little “cocktail carrots”, growing as usual in a raised wooden planter outside our kitchen window. The actual carrots are in two plastic crates filled with compost.

I have used a small offcut of Enviromesh, supported by six metal rods topped with cane-toppers.

This will give enough height for the carrot leaves to grow unhindered.

The mesh is secured to the wooden planter with some drawing-pins.

All the carrot foliage looks good so far, but of course it is too early for any significant roots, though with all this protection I’m quietly confident… (famous last words).

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