Produce > Edible Plants
Carrots
philcooper:
There was a little discussion on carrots on another thread but I have had problems with carrots so here's how I solved it - others may have other ways.
After 3 almost carrotless years last year I was on to my 3rd sowing, the first 2 had failed (first too wet and cold, second too dry - my allotment is a long way from home and has no water).
The 3rd sowing succeeded, I pre greminated them by mixing seed with a small quantity of damp vermiculite (sand will also work) in a poly bag on the dining room table (or some other socially acceptable place). As soon as they started to sprout (only a few days), I sowed them in rows which I have made deeper than normal and then part filled with moist fine leaf mold (or peat or any other peat substitute) - this prevents the ground capping if dry. An early morning visit with a full can of water for 2 weeks was necessary but I now have loads of carrots in the garage.
If the weather is very wet after sowing, I think covering the row with clear polythene will help prevent them damping off. The other way is to wait until later in the year, May or early June, but then you need to make sure the are rows are kept moist (forget the pre-germination but the leaf mold is very helpful)
Piglet:
Thanks Phil, will give pre-germinating seeds a try this year.
Piglet :)
Garden Manager:
I too have problems growing carrots. its about the only crop I want to grow but cant.
The problem seems to be the same as phil, poor germination, and a stony soil.
I havent tried for a few years, but the last time i tried, as i said the germination was poor, and what did grow was patheticaly small by pulling time.
I have always assumed my soil was to blame, being (at the time) very stony (it is now better as a result of improvement). I have since thought hard about ways to circumvent these problems, including growing in containers and replacing an area of stony soil with sieved material to a reasonable depth. Neither seems entirely satisfactory.
Recently i have wondered whether to try growing a few in 'biodegradable' containers which i can then plant whole to avoid disturbing the carrot plants too much (which I know they dislike). I was thinking toilet roll inners would be ideal for this purpose. On the other hand now the soil is better i could try again the traditional way and see if I have more sucess.
Any thoughts on this anyone?
tim:
Have you noticed that if you spill a pinch of seed at the end of the row, every one will germinate?
The best bunching carrots we've ever had were broadcast and lightly raked.
One thing I do do, for main varieties, is trickle potting compost along the drill after sowing. This avoids the fatal panning. And, of course, cover immediately with fleece! = Tim
Steve__C:
Never have problems with germination.
But something my Grandfather taught me... mix the seed with sand. The seeds are then more thinly sown, its very easy to ensure complete row is seeded and I am sure the sand does no harm in my clay soil.
When preparing my carrot bed I always throw a couple of builders bags of sharp sand onto the bed before forking over the complete bed. I do this to try to improve the drainage.
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