Nematodes

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Peter K, May 15, 2018.

  1. Peter K

    Peter K Gardener

    Joined:
    May 19, 2015
    Messages:
    110
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +126
    We have two raised beds that we would like to put vegetables in however last year carrot fly and slugs had a lot of the veg. This year I want to do things differently. I have turned over the soil and plan to put a bag of manure (from the garden centre) on each bed, but not sure if I can plant immediately after adding it?

    My plan is to put onions, beets and leeks in one bed and carrots, celery, lettuce and radishes in the other.

    I have heard that nematodes kill slugs but have never used them. Do they work and can I plant directly after using them or do I have to wait?

    As regards carrot fly, is there any way of stopping them completely?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks.
     
  2. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    6,042
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Mad Scientist
    Location:
    Paignton Devon
    Ratings:
    +20,951
    @Peter K Yes nematodes will help with the slugs. I've used them for several years now and think they help. They need to be applied when the soil is warm enough and damp, they are easy to apply. You may need a couple of applications per season. They are environmentally friendly and you can plant straight after use or apply to growing crops. They do not affect snails and most of the slugs die underground.
    As for the carrot fly these are weak fliers and stay fairly close to the ground, some form of fleece or fine insect mesh over the top of the raised bed should reduce the problem.
     
    • Informative Informative x 2
    • silu

      silu gardening easy...hmmm

      Joined:
      Oct 20, 2010
      Messages:
      3,682
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      Igloo
      Ratings:
      +8,083
      I use a mesh cloche/tunnel to put over my carrots after 1 year of hellish carrot fly. I have virtually no attacks from the pesky b's. You can use the tunnel for all sorts and reuse again and again. The likes of Amazon /Ebay have loads to choose from.
       
    • Verdun

      Verdun Passionate gardener

      Joined:
      Oct 16, 2012
      Messages:
      7,475
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      West Cornwall
      Ratings:
      +17,486
      I grow excellent carrots year on year.....no carrot fly

      I do 4 things: sow thinly, thin out when a couple of inches high and then hose them, ( to douse down carrot smell) I use nematodes for carrot fly and finally fleece them.

      The nematodes have only been used over past couple of years ...more of a belt n braces thing.

      Peter, don't use manure on your carrot bed .....carrots will fork and perform poorly. I would use the manure in autumn not now. :)

      Nematodes are good for slugs....do not work on snails. My regime for slugs n snails is a night time visit with torch and salt bucket
       
      • Informative Informative x 1
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jun 3, 2008
        Messages:
        30,688
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Surrey
        Ratings:
        +45,648
        Nematodes work well against underground slugs that eat root vegetables. They don't kill the bigger slugs that feed on the foliage, you need to hand pick them as others suggest at night time.
         
        • Informative Informative x 1
        • Peter K

          Peter K Gardener

          Joined:
          May 19, 2015
          Messages:
          110
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +126
          We seem.to have more snails than slugs. If nematodes don't work on snails is there anything I can water in for slugs and snails? I know there used to be a good product for snails and slugs in planted areas (not fruit or veg) however I think it's now been withdrawn
           
        • Peter K

          Peter K Gardener

          Joined:
          May 19, 2015
          Messages:
          110
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +126
          Funnily enough my carrots did fork and grow funny last year but I put that down to transferring seedlings from modules to beds.
           
        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

          Joined:
          Oct 16, 2012
          Messages:
          7,475
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          West Cornwall
          Ratings:
          +17,486
          Some do grow carrots in modules first....apparently do so very well but in my experience transplanting causes a check in growth, forking, splitting, etc. Best to sow insitu. Erratic watering too is a cause of splitting so keep carrot bed reasonably moist....at least do not let it dry out and then water it!
          Peter, the torch and salt regime is not ideal I know but it does keep my garden pretty well intact.....hostas for example look good right through to September. Just a couple of times a week, esp in spring and early summer, makes a big difference. No magic bullet for slugs n snails I'm afraid :noidea:
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Peter K

            Peter K Gardener

            Joined:
            May 19, 2015
            Messages:
            110
            Gender:
            Male
            Ratings:
            +126
            Thank you very much everybody. Lots of very useful information here.
             
          • longk

            longk Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Nov 24, 2011
            Messages:
            11,381
            Location:
            Oxfordshire
            Ratings:
            +23,089
            Grow onions, leek and garlic with carrots. Old school method of dealing with carrot fly but it works.
            As an aside, Amarantus and sweetcorn are good companion plants to break up the soil for better if that is an issue.
             
            • Informative Informative x 2
            Loading...

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Dismiss Notice