[GillyHen]

While I have two larger (3m x 4m)  beds on the go for potatoes & onions, I am thinking about making some smaller beds/boxes for carrots (and probably some other smaller crops, not sure what?). These will be around 1m sq but doubled up so they will be around 2ft deep. This was an idea to try and combat the advances of the carrot fly? Also, would intend to fill them with well dug and sieved soil, mixed with a good lot of compost and some sand. Does this sound a workable plan?

There is a patch of the plot that becomes lightly shaded later in the day due to a tree shadow. Are carrots better in full sun or would they appreciate some shade? If they like full sun, what might appreciate some shade through the day?

[Trillium]

The 2 ft depth and soil mix sound good for carrots. Be sure to use sharp sand rather than play sand which can clog. All veg can tolerate some shade if they must and still do well. Have the same problem in my own garden so I try to give the sunniest spots to the toms which really need full sun to do best. Everything else can take some shade, it simply takes them a bit longer to reach full growth or production.

[Gardenmunkey]

I'm growing my carrots in a cut down barrel which is just under 2 feet high. It's got a fleece surround to keep the pesky carrot fly off. The soil is fine and mixed 50/50 with peat free compost.

Must be OK, the carrots are growing a treat!