The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: GBov on December 09, 2019, 08:32:30 pm

Title: Does the smell of seaweed mulch deter root fly?
Post by: GBov on December 09, 2019, 08:32:30 pm

I know that carrot root fly detect their food by smell so I was wondering if seaweed used as a mulch would drown out the carrot smell and protect the crop?

One mile from the sea, it would be nice to use some of the beach bounty for more than compost.

Title: Re: Does the smell of seaweed mulch deter root fly?
Post by: Fleecewife on December 10, 2019, 12:47:00 am

I've never tried it and I now live a long way from the sea so probably never will, but it sounds good as a theory.  Possibly, even if it didn't work by its smell overcoming the carrot smell, then it would work as a physical barrier, like cabbage collars, to stop the flies finding soil in which to lay their eggs.  If it worked with carrots then it would also work with brassicas.
Probably the only way to find out would be to give it a go.  You'd have nothing to lose and at the very least you'd gain a bit of fertility.