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Cover the seedbed with horticultural fleece or clear plastic, at least 60cm high, or fine netting.Thin out weaker plants in the evenings when flies are less active – the females are attracted to the smell of freshly pulled carrots and broken foliage.Grow fly-resistant varieties such as ‘ flyaway’ or ‘ resistafly’ alongside a sacrifice crop of a non-resistant variety to lure the carrot fly larvae away.Here are some quick tips to help prevent carrot fly: Unfortunately, once your crop is infested it’s not possible to reverse the damage so it’s best to be vigilant from the start. Larvae burrow into the roots and leave them susceptible to rot.

This is an aesthetic issue and shouldn’t affect the flavour of your vegetable.Ĭarrot fly is a common pest which can spoil a whole crop. There are a couple of common issues you might face Image: Napoleonka/Shutterstockįorked roots are common when soil is heavy or rocky, or seeds are sown too close together and not thinned out.

Prepare your beds the autumn before to allow a period of rest before planting.įor further information on different varieties, have a look at guide: Early Heavy and stony soils, or clay-based beds can make growing more difficult, but short-rooted varieties like ‘ Caracas’ can still do well in these conditions.Īdd plenty of organic matter to the soil before sowing but remember that carrots dislike freshly manured earth. However, as a general rule, they prefer to be cool and don’t do well in greenhouses during the hotter summer months.Ĭhoose a sunny spot with light, fertile soil and good drainage. Check the seed packet if you’re unsure when to sow your chosen variety.įor a spring harvest, you can grow carrots in a greenhouse throughout the winter. Early cultivars such as the ‘ Nantes 2’ can be sown under a cloche or started in greenhouses from February. Most varieties are sown outdoors between April and July. Image: Carrot 'Amsterdam Forcing' from Thompson & MorganĬarrot seeds can be sown from early spring right through to late August and can be harvested almost all year round. 'Amsterdam Forcing' is an early maturing variety and can be sown in February