[Poolman]

Evening all,

First off thanks for a great site and forum learnt a lot in a short space, anyways i grow in swimming pool which is filled with top soil (a lot of stones), am I to late to plant some carrots ? Any recommendations on types general advice etc

Thanks in advance

Jamie

[Yorkie]

No, not too late at all.

If your soil is stony, I would advise trying to remove the bigger stones from the carrot location, plus growing a shorter or even round variety which might fork less.

[shoozie]

Not too late for us up here.   We plant from now and on through to mid summer.  Just started our carrots last weekend, but have done no more since these constant torrents of rain and hailstones - next weekend hopefully we'll restart.  We've been happy with early Nantes and Autumn King - in heavy clay soil,  though not especially stoney. 

[jay001]

i also am growing autumn king in heavy clay soil with lots of stone.my first time growing anything ,but from what i have gleamed from the other experienced grower,s on here a carrot forks when it hits a small stone on it,s downward path so you will not get a pretty one but at least you grew it and the taste should match the satisfaction of having produced it yourself pulled it up washed it and then put it in the pot !!! 

[Scotch Thistle]

On the subject of carrots, i have sowed two varieties and both are starting to show, at what point should i net them?

[sunshineband]

On the subject of carrots, i have sowed two varieties and both are starting to show, at what point should i net them?

NOW

As soon as the leaves show they smell of carrot, and along come those darling black flies

[Poolman]

Thanks for the tips everyone I have marked out the carrot bed and will try and remove as Manu stones as possible and maybe add some compost, hopefully that will help.

Did not know I needed to net carrots ?

Thanks again for the advice

[DD.]

It's a precaution against carrot fly, which can decimate your crop.

It needs to be very fine mesh, such as "Veggiemesh" or "Enviromesh". A plain net curtain would be OK for a smallish area.

[JayG]

Make sure you use the right sort of net Poolman - it needs to be very fine (and very well fastened down) to stop the carrot flies - I think Enviromesh was the first brand name on the scene but there are several other alternatives now.

[DD.]

Glad you agree! 

[JayG]

Glad you agree! 

Oh dear - must try harder (and quicker!)   

[Poolman]

Thanks against. I have some autumn king 2 which I tried last year but only planted in pots, trying a few more this year will try and find the mesh online. I assume you use canes and secure the mesh to this leaving a space enough for the carrots to grow foliage

Please correct me if I'm wrong. Really new to all this but wish to learn!!

Tar v much

[viettaclark]

Autumn King is better sown in .....the Autumn! It's bred to take cold and the carrots will stay in over the winter.
If you want to sow now Early Nantes is a good starter carrot.
Netting needs to cover the plants and be very fine mesh or insects get through. Debris netting is good or people use environmesh. I just prop mine up with bamboos but I have deep raised beds to push the sticks into. I have been known to while away winter evenings sowing up the lines of fixing holes (pretty sure Mum does too!) but it's not really necessary. Just make sure there are no gaps at the bottom.

[jay001]

from what little i uderstand the carrot fly only can fly around 8" aove the ground i have some in soil and some in  1ft square containers -- i w ill see what does best :wub:somebody else will probably give you beter advice as a  i am new to growing and my info is from johns book,s and this site   

[DD.]

Autumn King is better sown in .....the Autumn!

Sorry to disagree but is called Autumn King as they are ready for Autumn. If you wait to sow until then, you won't get a crop.

They can be late sown, June & July, maybe August at a push, but autumn is too late.