For some reason I seem to have a really bad run of luck when it comes to germinating carrots on the plot. The last few rows I planted germinated very sporadically, in fact, over the last few years they have been far from impressive.
Is it possible to germinate the carrots in deep pots in the greenhouse and then transplant them into the plot? Has anyone tried this?
I'm thinking of germinating them in root trainers. I successfully germinated parsnips in loo roll tubes, and they have been transplanted and are growing well. Tried carrots the same way, but slugs or someting got to them and had the lot. >:( >:( >:(
Try a raised bed of compost, rather than transplant. Keeping the seed bed damp is crucial for carrot seedlings, esp if your soil caps over when dry. I water the drill well, sow the seed top with sand or fine compost, water again and cover with fleece... :-\
I agree :)
seems a lot of fuss to transplant or sow in extravagant ways when tubs, boxes, bowls etc and the ground will suffice but the soil has to be a fine tilth to the depth of the carrot, moist and as Sad says, sprinkle with seed then sprinkle with fine compost and fleece - keep it moist
The first year I got the allotment and grew carrots I sowed the seeds last of all on a dry, stoney, untended part of the plot, together with parsnips, beetroot, spring onions and radishes. Got no parsnips, but the carrots and beetroot were really the best year I have had. Nothing I have done since has come anywhere near. Except for parsnips. Saddad, I tried your method two years ago after seeing it on GW - zilch. :'( :'( .
But I won't give up. :) :) :) :)
I have a raised bed in the back garden. I only plant carrots in them. Last year I decided instead of leaving them bare throughout winter I planted my leeks instead. My leeks didn't do well at all. Got rid of all the fail leeks, and back to my carrots again. Planted 4 rows of them, most frustrating of all not a single carrot was in sight just weeds after weeds. Weeded the whole lot again, and now I've planted two rows of carrots and two rows of beetroot. I'm hoping that should my carrots fail again, the least I could hope for would be some beetroot.
Not sure carrots transplant all that well and I know growing them is a pain on the plot. I feel that I am just feeding the birds and slugs carrot seed given how few actually make it to maturity.
One of the guys on my allotment started his carrots off in a length of drainpipe. When they were established he transferred them into a trench - much as you might do for beans/peas. I guess he must be using a short rooted variety. They look pretty impressive and if it works I will be copying his method later this year.
Hope this helps.
Z
We have great results starting them at home in toilet rolls then planting out once germinated, place the rolls side by side ,no need to thin so no trouble with carrot fly and nice uniform carrots as they only have compost to grow through,watch out for the slugs though as asbean said ;)
Thanks for all the information guys and girls. I have some root trainers on order so I think I'll give them a go in there. I do like the idea of a raised bed on the plot. I think I'd better get building!
Carrot fly can smell transplanted carrots from miles away. They don't like to be transplanted one bit.
Try mixing the seed with 80% vermiculite and sow more liberally.
Quote from: PurpleHeather on May 26, 2008, 20:50:05
Carrot fly can smell transplanted carrots from miles away. They don't like to be transplanted one bit.
Seconded!
When I was a nipper, an old boy, laughed at me transplanting my carrots. But he was right.