|
|
|
Growing carrots
 |
A bumper crop of freshly harvested carrots
|
This is an impressive vegetable when grown in rows in the garden. The
fine feathery green leaves look beautiful and the long tapered roots can
often be something to behold. Depending on the variety the roots can be
up to 8 inches (20cm) long, or as short as an inch (although we personally
don't see the point in growing such short stumpy carrots).
Growing conditions
-
Carrots can grow in all but the hottest and coldest climates. They
grow year round in subtropical climates.
-
They prefer full sun but can grow in partial shade.
-
Avoid adding manure to the soil, otherwise your carrots will fork.
They like beds manured in the previous season.
-
In a 4 bed rotation system carrots
are grown with onions, garlic, parsnips, leeks and other root crops.
Garden care
-
We've successfully grown a number of varieties including baby carrots,
All Seasons, Western Red and Early Chantenay.
-
Carrots must be directly sown into your garden beds. You shouldn't
try growing them from seedlings.
-
The simplest way to sow carrots is to mix the seed with river sand,
pouring the contents into seed drills. The sand makes germination
easier; but because sand drains so quickly you need to make sure the
carrot seedlings don't dry out at this crucial stage.
-
Carrots have one of the longest germination times of all vegetables;
often taking over 3 weeks.
-
Intersperse carrot rows with onions. The onions' smell confuse pests,
keeping them away from the carrots. You can also achieve similar results
using garlic and to a lesser extent shallots and spring onions.
-
Thin the carrot seedlings out when they're about 5cms (2 inches)
tall to a distance of 2cm (a little under an inch). And again when
15cms (6 inches) tall to a distance of 5cm (2 inches) apart.
-
Avoid excessive watering as roots may crack.
-
There are very few pest and disease problems with carrots. During
summer we do get some small grasshoppers on their folliage, but it's
so close to harvest time there's no point getting worried about it.
Harvest time
-
Carrots usually need 4-5 months to grow to their full size.
-
Harvest your carrots when required. Thinned out carrots are great
baby carrots for stir-fry meals.
-
If you encounter problems harvesting deeply rooted carrots try watering
them. Then slowly rotate them around to loosen the carrot from the
soil. Don't forget to twist off the leaves. If you don't the leaves
will draw water out of the root which will dry it out.
Last Updated
17 November, 2008
Using this site is conditional on you reading and agreeing with
our Disclaimer and Copyright
statements © 1998-2008.
|
|
|
|
