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Thinning carrots
TyCerrig
Posts: 61
in Fruit & veg
Could someone tell me when the best time to thin carrots is? I have sown some in my raised beds and the seedlings are now just over 1 inch tall. Would it be a good idea to thin them now before any carrots have formed so as not to attract carrot root fly, or would waiting until there are actual carrots there be a better idea?
Any thoughts to help this novice veggy grower, would be much appreciated!
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I would wait until smallish carrots have formed as thinning out too early may damage the roots on the other tiny seedlings.
Wait for them to become bigger then you can use them on salads.
How do you stop carrot root fly becoming a problem when you thin them? I understood that the odour released when you pick them out attracts the root fly - am I right?
Yes. Some suggestions here: http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/plant-inspiration/10-ways-to-avoid-carrot-root-fly/
I use fleece myself - I have some low wire hoops from old cloche tunnels that I put along the row and then fleece over to make a little snug tunnel. Seems to work
Last edited: 16 May 2017 21:48:56
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I grow my carrots in a raised bed some 30 inches high and also at ground level where I erect some bamboos and create a square or rectangle and add fleece to stop the CF
I have also used the cane and fleece method for runner beans to protect them from pigeons
They will not drop into an area that they cant see out of in case cats or foxes are around
They never are but they are not the brightest bird on the plot so tend to leave the young bean shoots alone
A fleece screen also has the potential to reduce wind and increase productivity by up to 30%
Keep a note of what you do in 2017 / 18 and then repeat next season
Good luck
Does having them in a raised bed make a difference?
I made my RB from scaff boards and filled it with alternate layers of horse manure and new top soil
It is carrot heaven and I swear I can hear them giggling
The carrots last season were 12 inches long and straight and no blemishes
The total cost of the RB was £200 but will last many years just with a top up of soil and manure.
You must rotate with other vegs
I believe carrot fly operate at up to 2 feet above ground level, so you'd need a pretty deep raised bed to be sure you'd outwitted all the beasties...