Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
disturbed, and significant numbers will get stuck to the card. Repeat until you're
not catching many.
As soon as you find flea beetles anywhere in the tunnel, you should immediately
cover any direct sowings with fleece, and make sure that module-sown plants are
well developed before moving them to the soil beds. Flea beetles become inactive
in autumn but overwinter in leaf litter and similar debris, so keep the tunnel
clear of this at all times.
Leatherjackets
Although crane flies (the adult form of the leatherjacket) are likely to be frequent
visitors to the tunnel, leatherjackets are usually a problem only in newly erected
tunnels on ground that was previously under grass. To catch them, water the soil
thoroughly and cover it with black plastic. The next morning many of the larvae
will have come up to the surface and can be picked off.
Leek rust
Leek rust is a fungal disease that can affect all alliums, with the exception of
elephant garlic. It is wind-borne and can therefore travel long distances. Whereas
onions may not be affected very badly, garlic is most susceptible and much more
likely to be seriously damaged. Don't use bulbs from affected plants as seed for
the following year, do not grow alliums of any kind in a bed that has been
infected for three years, and destroy any volunteer plants that come up in that
bed during this period. Avoid growing onions, shallots and leeks adjacent to
garlic, as that is where an infection is likely to start - and from where it will then
spread.
Lettuce root aphids
Lettuce root aphids are a serious but uncommon problem for lettuces, usually
affecting only gardens with nearby poplar trees, the winter host of this species.
Affected plants are stunted with discoloured leaves and will wilt if conditions are
even slightly dry. The aphids are mostly underground, but ants can spread them
to other plants. Remove any affected plants, roots and all, as soon as you suspect
this pest. While these are safe to compost, do not grow lettuce in the infected spot
for at least a year.
Mice
Field mice are likely to be infrequent visitors to the tunnel, but are attracted by
sowings of large seeds such as sweetcorn, beans, peas and squash. If the tunnel
is kept clear of clutter, they are unlikely to take up residence, but may come back
nightly as long as the food supply lasts. Trapping is the only reliable option, but
you can reduce the likelihood of a problem in the first place by starting large-
seeded plants in a mouse-proof location, such as a suspended shelf or staging.
