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Is it safe to remove covers?

tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
in Fruit & veg
Hi all,

Ive got brassicas (sprouts, calebrese etc...) and carrots in veg beds. Would you say its safe to remove them? I havnt seen any cabbage whites for a week or so. (Ive no idea about carrot flies).

Thanks

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    They don't just fly when you're looking @tuffnelljohn.  Plenty here feasting on nectar in wildflowers and no doubt looking for a spare cabbage to lay their eggs.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I wouldn't ... cabbage whites flittering and fluttering around the garden yesterday here in Norfolk ... loads of them ... 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    I read that carrot root fly are active to some extent every month of the year bar November, December, and January, I don't know how much damage they are likely to cause during the colder months though.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Plenty of C W's here in SW UK too so I'd suggest you keep your covers on for now.
  • tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
    I think I need to learn more about the CW life cycle. I thought perhaps if I did remove the covers, then - now its getting colder - it would be too cold for the caterpillars to survive anyway. 

    Ive had success this year with growing carrots in containers - uncovered - and keeping them a couple of foot off the ground. (because carrot fly low to the ground)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    When it’s too cold for the cabbage whites it’s so cold that the wood pigeons are hungry and raiding the brassicas. Our netting stays up. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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