Horticulture IPM: Controlling flea beetle in brassica crops at market garden scale

Cost: Free

As a Farming Connect Focus Farm, this season Llysiau Menai is trialling ways of preventing flea beetle damage in high value brassica crops, particularly pak choi and Asian salad leaves. Flea beetle is a common and prevalent pest from early Spring to late Summer, causing cosmetic damage to leafy crops or total destruction of young plants. As a small scale market garden practicing agro ecological principles, Llysiau Menai is keen to find environmentally friendly ways of reducing and deterring pests.

Methods being trailed in this project include:

• using protective mesh to exclude pests
• planting companion crops to ‘push’ pests away
• growing a mustard trap crop to ‘pull’ pests
• growing wildflowers to attract predator species

The project is also comparing direct drilling to transplants, and F1 and open pollinated varieties. On harvesting, yield weight and grade of crops are being recorded, as well as sowing dates and cropping dates in an effort to extend the season.

This event is for farmers and growers with an existing horticulture venture as well as those looking for a diversification option to join the sector. The event will include a discussion on pest management and a tour around the market garden to explore the project in further detail.

For further information or to register for the event, please contact Hannah Norman, Horticulture Sector Officer at hannah.norman@mentera.cymru / 07497 368476

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