Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Glen on February 28, 2008, 20:54

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: Glen on February 28, 2008, 20:54

So many to choose from what's the best to start with? Can i plant seed straight in to the ground?

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: Trillium on February 28, 2008, 21:02

Carrots prefer to go straight into the ground as they really do hate transplanting - a cause for severe forking.

The types depends on your soil. If you've loose loamy soil then the Nantes types are good. If your soil is heavier clay, then the stronger chantenay types are better as their pointier structure is suited for ramming through heavier soil. Soil packets usually tell you which is best  From there, it's taste and trial.

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: Glen on February 28, 2008, 21:04

We have chalky soil so what would you suggest?

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: Trillium on February 28, 2008, 21:09

Loosen it up with coarse sand and go with the red cored chantenay types. They'll still give you a sweet carrot. The nantes types are fussier though you could always try a few and see how they turn out for you.

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: Trillium on February 28, 2008, 21:21

I keep forgetting that UKrs have terribly carrot fly problems so make sure you put fleece over your whole carrot crop, preferably hooped a little so the flies can't touch the carrots to lay eggs or whatever.

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: richyrich7 on February 28, 2008, 21:47

You could try parmex they are a short dumpy carrot good for clay and heavy soil.

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: PAH48 on February 28, 2008, 22:10

Hi .. grew parmex last year in large pots ontop of the patio table, much to the annoyance of she who should be obeyed :roll:
They were easy to move when nec' and the two grand sons just loved them, pulled them out, washed them and they were like sweets to the two of them, an' far far beter. Shall be doing the same this year :wink:  :wink:
Bye PAH

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: slow_worm on February 28, 2008, 22:55

I love carrots but never grow them...when is a good time for sowing seed? Is March too early?

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: WhippetMaster on February 29, 2008, 09:23

Got some sprouting nicely in pots in mini greenhouse and under a cloche on a raised bed. Despite the frost they appear to be ok!!!

They are early Nantes variety.

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: compostqueen on February 29, 2008, 09:41

I added leafmould to my carrot bed plus some grit sand I found at home (nicked off the old man)  8)

Chantenays are lovely carrots
Parmex types such as Paris Market etc are lovely

I've had success with Flakkee, given to me by the old guys, a stumpy carrot but lovely.  

I sow my carrot seed with spring onion seed mixed in with it as a carrot fly deterrent

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: MarkG on February 29, 2008, 10:27

what a great idea. I'll put some spring onion in mine too.

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: compostqueen on February 29, 2008, 12:04

Try to some red spring onions too  :D  I did lots of New Holland Blood Red last year and they were very successful

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: Glen on February 29, 2008, 20:25

Do the onions work in keeping Mr Carrot fly at bay?

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: compostqueen on March 01, 2008, 13:26

well that's the plan.  You can cover the lot with Enviromesh after sowing as well. Belt and braces approach :D

Title: hello
Post by: Babycat on March 01, 2008, 22:18

sorry for budding in......

I have some early Nantes seeds - is it too early to throw them in?

x Gina

Title: Which Carrots?
Post by: Annie on March 01, 2008, 23:32

We have a heavy clay soil and tried short rooted varieties first with laughable results(plant March/April crop mini baby carrots at Christmas..),however since we have started digging sand as well as compost into the beds(builders and now sandpit sand)our carrots have been fab.and some accidentally grown in barrels are still cropping now.
Slug protection is a must or you will get all excited about emerging carrots and 2 days later they could be razed to the ground.Carrot fly is a pest but apparently can`t fly very high so mesh can be used or little mesh/plastic barriers around carrot beds and this is also why you hear about peeps growing in baths as the height is enough to avoid carrot fly and the soil conditions are in your control...wouldn`t mention this except OH moved a cast iron bath in the garden last year...