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Carrot and Parsnip Fly

• Message 1. 

  Posted by sampson25 (U14632533) on Thursday, 1st March 2012

  I have grown carrots in a raised bed at home and been lucky enough not to get carrot fly. This year I have an allotment and have a raised bed which must be 2 ft high. I am thinking of growing both my carrots and parsnips in it, but need some advice:
  
  1. Would you cover it?
  
  2. My neighbouring plot holder tells me that parsnips can't get carrot fly, but I've read they can. Which is true?
  
  3. They will be in local council compost, (not manure). Will this be ok,or will they fork? My soil is quite heavy clay, so not too keen on that option either.
  
  4. Finally if I do cover, should I do so as soon as I put them in. I was thinking of either germinating the parsnips on wet kitchen paper, so in theory they will already be growing when they go in.
  
  Many thanks
  
  A slightly confused Sally!
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Thursday, 1st March 2012

  I couldn't swear on the parsnips but have certainly never covered mine. Carrots I always cover as a precaution from sowing to harvest and touch wood I can't recall ever having any damage. Even through thinning etc.
  
  I too have heavy clay soil at my allotment and find "Paris Market" to be good carrots for this. I also grow carrots at home in large pots purely in compost and they have never forked.
  
  In my opinion you'd be better using a 2ft beds worth of compost improving your heavy clay soil rather than just filling one bed with it. I know mine is improving year on year with applications of compost/manure/leafmould and this would be better long term rather than concentrating on short term building a bed specific for carrots as you wouldn't be able to grow them there every year or pests/diseases would build up.
  
  Best Wishes,
  Vixxi

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