I've been growing kale, but I've just found that root maggots have completely taken over my plants. I noticed the roots were infested after digging one up, and now I'm concerned about my radishes, potatoes, beetroot, and carrots too. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from affecting my other plants?
3 Answers
That sounds super frustrating! I had a similar issue with pigeons eating my kale, so I totally get it. Hang in there!
It sounds like you're dealing with cabbage root fly, which tends to go after brassicas like kale. It's unlikely that your other plants will be affected, but it's still good to take precautions. Did you use cabbage collars or cardboard to help protect them? You can learn more about that [here](https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/cabbage-root-fly). The good news is that you can control the situation pretty easily before planting, just remember to rotate your crops next year to avoid recurring problems!
I had some luck saving plants affected by root maggots before. You can try soaking them in a bucket of water for 24 hours with the roots submerged but leaves above the water. This helps kill the maggots while giving the plant a good drink. Once you take them out, replant them somewhere else to avoid any leftover grubs. If they're heavily damaged, trimming some leaves back can help them recover. And remember, they won't go after potatoes, so no worries there!
This is my first time growing too! I didn’t know about cabbage collars either, but I’m definitely going to try them with my next seeds. I'm also thinking of getting an insect mesh to keep those pesky flies away. Thanks for the tip!