Guide
Growing Fly Away carrots
Fly Away reduces carrot fly risk without netting, but it is not immune. Understanding where its resistance comes from helps you use it correctly.
How the resistance works
Fly Away emits lower levels of the volatile compounds that attract carrot fly adults. The adults locate host plants primarily by smell, so a reduced chemical signal means fewer eggs laid in the soil nearby. The resistance is significant in practice - trials show substantially lower root damage compared with standard varieties in affected plots - but it is not absolute immunity.
Still sow in the evening
Carrot fly adults fly low to the ground and are most active in warm conditions during the day. Thinning releases a strong scent burst that draws them in. Do this in the evening when adult activity is lower. Firm the soil back around remaining seedlings immediately after thinning to mask the scent.
Barrier netting still helps in high-pressure plots
If your plot has a known history of severe carrot fly damage, combine Fly Away with a fine mesh barrier at 60–75 cm height. The variety reduces baseline pressure; the barrier stops the adults that do arrive. Together they are more reliable than either alone.
Nantes-type growing requirements
Fly Away is a Nantes type: cylindrical, 15–18 cm root, best in deep, loose, stone-free soil. Sow thinly in drills 1 cm deep, 25–30 cm between rows. Thin to 5–7 cm spacing. Germination takes 14–21 days - keep the seedbed consistently moist. Do not add fresh manure or rich compost immediately before sowing.
Harvest timing
Ready at 70–80 days from sowing. Can be left in the ground until needed in most soils. Lift with a fork to avoid snapping the root. Roots store well lifted and kept in barely damp sand in a cool shed.
Related guides
Getting carrots to germinate and grow straight
Carrots are slow to germinate and unforgiving of poor soil preparation. Most problems - forked roots, poor stands - are preventable with the right bed preparation.
Dealing with aphids
Aphids multiply fast but are rarely fatal if caught early. The response should be proportionate - low numbers often resolve without intervention.