How to Grow Carrots
Carrots
Get the soil conditions correct and carrots are one of the
easiest vegetables to grow in the cooler climates. Incorrect soil conditions lead to
mis-shapen carrots - these may well cause a chuckle when dug up,
but they are not so well appreciated at cooking time!
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CARROT QUICK GUIDE
Latin Name
Daucus carota
Type
Edible root vegetable
Site and Soil
Full sun for early varieties, partial shade for maincrop varieties. Very well dug light soil.
Plant to Harvest Time
Early varieties 10 weeks, maincrop 16 weeks
How Many?
6 kg (13lb) per 5m (16foot) row for maincrop. 4kg (8lb)
for early varieties. | |
Carrots are rich in vitamin A, calcium and trace elements and a good
source of fibre. Maincrop varieties can be stored for up to
three months making it possible to have a near year round supply. The tastiest carrots are the early varieties, which can be harvested
as early as early June when they are at their most expensive in the shops.
All in all, a good vegetable for the beginner gardener to try, but
read the section on carrot fly carefully.
Where To Grow Carrots
Carrots prefer a light soil which has been improved with lots of
well-rotted organic material fully dug into the soil. Carrots grown on
heavy soil, or where organic material is not well-rotted, will become misshapen
and grow 'forked. Stones in the soil will have the same bad
effect. Prepare the bed two weeks or so before planting, forking in a
handful of bonemeal for each square metre (yard). Ensure that the soil
is dug to a spade's depth and is of a crumbly texture.
Early carrot varieties do best in full sun, especially
if they are to be harvested when young. Maincrop varieties do best with
some shade especially in mid-summer.
Carrots are ideal vegetables for growing in containers
and raised beds.
Click here
to go to our page on raised beds.
CLICK
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