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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: westsussexlottie on May 06, 2005, 15:08:20

Title: watering container grown carrots
Post by: westsussexlottie on May 06, 2005, 15:08:20
Have just put some parmex carrot seeds in fine compost in a deep window box about 4 ft above the ground.
How often should I water them? Should they get a daily watering from the irrigation system? Or misting????? Or neglect?
All thoughts appreciated. Have never container grown carrots or parmex carrots before.


Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: Diana on May 06, 2005, 15:58:23
I've got mine in pots this year. Some earlies in the greenhouse just get watered daily, but they'll be going out soon (still in pot that is - run out of room...) + will fend for themselves. Might give them a soak from underneath once in a while as the foliage gets big it tends to keep the water out the pots!!!

Let me know how you get on. Is it a very deep pot?
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: westsussexlottie on May 06, 2005, 16:31:08
The planter is about 8 inches deep and very long.
Is this deep enough for parmex carrots?
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: Diana on May 06, 2005, 16:56:41
I've never grown them, but they're only supposed to be baby rots (1-2") so it should be

D
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: sandersj89 on May 07, 2005, 17:11:23
These are my Early Nantes that I sowed back on 19th Feb in the greenhouse, moved to the cold greenhouse about 6 weeks ago. Harvets should be in 2 or 3 weeks.

I water them so the compost is just moist and give them a good soaking once a week to make sure compost is moist to the bottom of the pot.

(http://img.photobox.co.uk/85491832e36b163109c21aca25bdf3788b4281b2c3a42ba9d4198365.jpg)

(http://img.photobox.co.uk/222750758911c31f128179849b91e2a9652f395594c69be4fca2ce9b.jpg)

Jerry
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: Clayhithe on May 07, 2005, 19:03:37
Watering rule of thumb:

If water runs out the bottom,  you've overwatered.

If it doesn't run out,  you haven't watered enough.

Hope that helps (It explains why I can't grow in containers)
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: ellkebe on May 07, 2005, 20:22:42
Quote from: Clayhithe on May 07, 2005, 19:03:37
If water runs out the bottom,  you've overwatered.
If it doesn't run out,  you haven't watered enough.

It's funny cos it's true!   :(

Ellkebe
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: clairenpaul on May 08, 2005, 12:14:09
That just about sums it up........now I know where I've been going wrong :)
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: tim on May 08, 2005, 12:29:15
No, no, no - treat yourself to a Moisture Meter!!
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: sandersj89 on May 20, 2005, 09:41:27
I decided to check some of mine this morning, early nantes sown on the 19th Feb and they are ready!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

(http://img.photobox.co.uk/610810152dec4f97f8b1c6e6ccea343f86fc4d1566a662bf1e246d29.jpg)

3 months from sowing to harvest is not too bad, the roots are lovely and clean and no forking. Sown in bog standard multipurpose compost and not fed with anything. Just kept moist. They started life in a bit of heat but have been in a plastic greenhouse for a month or so now I guess.

This year I have done 2 small pots and one large, I will be doing more next year if I can get an early crop like this again.

Jerry
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: westsussexlottie on May 20, 2005, 09:50:42
Jerry these look fantastic.
My container grown parmex carrots are just coming up - which is good news - especially as the crop on the allotment failed. Will resow at the allotment this weekend.
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: Rox on May 20, 2005, 10:22:44
Quote from: sandersj89 on May 20, 2005, 09:41:27
I decided to check some of mine this morning, early nantes sown on the 19th Feb and they are ready!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

(http://img.photobox.co.uk/610810152dec4f97f8b1c6e6ccea343f86fc4d1566a662bf1e246d29.jpg)

3 months from sowing to harvest is not too bad, the roots are lovely and clean and no forking. Sown in bog standard multipurpose compost and not fed with anything. Just kept moist. They started life in a bit of heat but have been in a plastic greenhouse for a month or so now I guess.

This year I have done 2 small pots and one large, I will be doing more next year if I can get an early crop like this again.

Jerry

Fantastic Jerry!  ;) You've inspired me - I will give this technique a go - what size pots did you sow in? at what spacing? (I'll be sowing mini finger carrots, and putting in my mini greenhouse, so they should hopefully work as well...)  :D
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: sandersj89 on May 20, 2005, 11:14:35
Rox

If you look back on this thread you will see the pots I used. They are 9" I think.

I just sprinkled seeds roughly over the surface, no precise spacing. There are probably 40 carrots in each pot.

Jerry
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: gunnerbee on May 20, 2005, 11:55:28
never thought of growing them this way, thanks, of to plants some!!
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: gunnerbee on May 20, 2005, 11:57:06
p.s are parsnips as effective grown this way too?
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: sandersj89 on May 20, 2005, 13:05:42
I caanot think of any reason why not but you will need longer/deeper pots and you will not get so many in each pot due to the large root size.

They often grow competition parsnips in old oil drums I think.

Jerry
Title: Re: watering container grown carrots
Post by: gunnerbee on May 20, 2005, 13:23:19
well ive got loads of deep pots, a guy i know who works at the local supermarket, he gives me all the black pots which display the cut flowers in, they are so handy for the greenhouse etc, also ive had a big deep metal basket (which i burn stuff in) and some wooden shelves ex display which were used to put bedding plants on!!!! all comes in handy for gardening!!!!