How can we grow carrots without the dreaded pests. Think it’s carrot fly, but not sure. For two years now we have had to cut alot of (holes & black marks) away to be able to eat what’s left.
We only grow in one 3m x 3m raised bed.

TopVeg replied:

It is tragic to loose your carrots to pests - our sympathies.

It does sound like carrot fly.

There are 3 things you can do to protect your carrots grown in raised beds:

1. grow varieties resistant to carrot fly- such as

* Resistafly - mid to late season use
* Flyaway - early
* Early Nantes - suitable for early sowing under glass

2. Raise the sides of your beds to over 2 foot - Carrot fly travel close to the ground, and a barrier 2 foot high will interupt their flight path, forcing the fly to take another route. If carrots are planted in a container at least 2 foot off the ground, the carrot flies will just zoom past the side of the container, and not bother the carrots growing inside.

3. Cover the beds with enviromesh which will keep the flies out. This has transformed our carrot growing & would be easy to do with your beds.

Hope that helps!