Topic: Houston....we have carrots!

[sandersj89]

:D  :D  :D  :D

First pick of carrots are now ready, from an early sowing in pots/containers back in Jan/Feb.

Very pleased as daughter would live of them if she had a chance!



These are Early Nantes, I sow a pot every 2 weeks from Jan through to Early March. These start of in a warm greenhouse and have been in cold frames for the last few weeks. Might not keep us in carrots but they are yummy!

Jerry

[Rosyred]

So they haven't been in the allotment at all just grown in pots?

[sandersj89]

So they haven't been in the allotment at all just grown in pots?

True in one sense, but the cold frame these were picked from is located on the allotmetment. Yes they were started at home in my main heated greenhouse but early carrots dont need a huge amount of heat to get going so sowing in a coldframe will buy you a few weeks I would suggest.

Jerry

[Gadfium]

Looks almost good enough to eat  ;)

What sized pots did you use?

[Doris_Pinks]

Well done Jerry! Using your sow method on the plot, think I may actually get some this year!! Big thanks! ;D

[sandersj89]

What sized pots did you use?

I use deepish pots, about 6". The ideal ones are like clematis come in. Sow thickly and dont thin so you get nice baby carrots .

Jerry

[sandersj89]

Well done Jerry! Using your sow method on the plot, think I may actually get some this year!! Big thanks! ;D

Fingers crossed!
 ;D

Most of mine are up and running now under fleece though I did sow a 4th row last night in the rain.

Jerry
Daughter will most likely have red hair come October!

[Curryandchips]

dont thin so you get nice baby carrots .

A culinary secret in my book, it is worth sowing seed just for the early specimens ...

[tim]

WHY don't I do it, Jerry? Probably because I doubt success. But MUST try!

Point of interest - I know there are exceptions, but Nantes are usually blunt rooted?

[Curryandchips]

Are those your carrots Tim, they look excellent !  :)

[sandersj89]

Tim,

I agree they are a blunt rooted type but these dont seem to be for some reason. They are seed from Alan Roman's site, the 50p per packet supply so that may have nothing or not to do with it.

I have also used James Scarlet in the past with equal success and these are pointed roots. Going to try a new one called Nigel this year, described as a main crop Nantes type.

Jerry

[tim]

Nooo, Curry! - just making a blunt point.

[Mrs Ava]

Fab Jerry!  The kids have just sown a large square pot they were given - versaille style - with early nantes.  They came up in a matter of days.  Mine will pull them and eat them raw, compost and all!  Those and the peas...wigglies and all.  Happy children! Happy days!!

[Rosyred]

I have tried growing carrotts twice now sowing straight in the ground with no success.  When I did a few in small pots from the same seed packet they were fine but didn't use them in the end.

[Merry Tiller]

Mine don't usually go blunt until they get quite large

[saddad]

I have an old cold frame filled with domestic compost, which I use to grow carrots, Danvers half long are my best variety. Sowed some Ea Nantes in mid feb, with the glass lid but only a couple came through so I'm going to sow over them again with Danvers Today. It is great for the end of the year, harvesting proper sized fresh carrots over Christmas!
 :)

[Paulines7]

I sow a few rows of Royal Chantenay in the greenhouse in March directly into the soil.  They always do well though and give me an early crop.  No photos as mine are not quite big enough yet.   :D