Gardening Hack: How Onions Can Protect Your Carrots from Pests

Gardening enthusiasts are discovering an age-old technique to protect their carrot crops from pests: companion planting with onions. A recent online video by gardening enthusiast Matt’s Garden, based in Nottingham, UK, demonstrates this effective method. The video, which has garnered significant attention, explains that the pungent aroma of onions acts as a natural deterrent for the notorious carrot root fly, a common pest that can devastate carrot harvests. "The smell onions give off helps to mask the smell of carrots from pests like carrot root fly," the gardener states. Beyond pest control, the technique offers a clever solution for maximizing garden space. As carrots grow downwards into the soil and onions grow upwards, they do not compete for root space, allowing gardeners to utilize their beds more efficiently. "They won’t compete for space, and help to fill up and maximise your bed space," he adds. Matt’s Garden walks viewers through the simple process of sowing small carrot seeds in pre-watered trenches between established onion sprouts, then gently covering them with soil. This method not only protects carrots but also contributes to healthier soil by providing natural ground cover from the carrot tops as they grow.

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