[Maccbean]

My carrots planted four weeks ago have finally grown into seedlings.  I know I'm supposed to thin them at some point, but they currently just look like blades of grass.  Am I supposed to wait for a bit, or does one blade mean one carrot ?  Help in simple newbie words please.

[chris23005]

I don't know either so I hope someone helps us out quick!

[Kristen]

No rush would be my advice.  How crowed are they? (which in turn means how thinly did you sow your seed?)

If they are crowed out like sardines in a tin a) they will need thinning and b) you sowed too much seed!

If they are crowded more like a tube train then they will, mostly, push each other apart and you can pull them selectively (to eat) to leave just 2 or 3 at each final position, and then when you've used up all the "small thinnings" go back and reduce the 2-or-3 to just one to grow on to be bigger.

Thin in the evening after the carrot fly has gone to bed so the smell doesn't get them all excited! and pulling when the ground is wet will be easier than when dry / set like concrete.

And don't forget to sow some more (more thinly!!) for later in the season

P.S. rub your finger around the base of the plant and you will be able to"judge" how fat the carrot is. No need to thin them if the leaves are at the "grass" stage - unless they are sardine-tin crowed in which case I would cut with scissors, rather than pull, to reduce the enticing carrot-smell for the carrot fly.

[Trikidiki]

I give my carrots a spray with a garlic suspension when I've been thinning or weeding them. The hope is it will mask the smell of the carrots and act as another defence against carrot root fly.

There is a recent thread about a garlic wash to deter slugs with a recipe to make the wash. I cheat and just put about a teaspoon of Lea & Perrins Garlic Sauce in a litre of water.

If it does work for slugs as well its a bonus.

[green fingers]

I leave thinning until the "blades of grass" have actually formed into carrot tops

[stompy]

I thin at this point.
Just grab a finger and thumb full every 1" along the entire row.
This allows the outer ones to spread to the sides, then thin at will taking the thinnings for salads.

[prakash_mib]

sorry to hijack the post. but am following. Mine are in a tube train line. would rather wait for them to push out as per kristen's advice. and when you say thinning in salads, does it mean the leaves as well? can you eat the leaves?

[Kristen]

Just grab a finger and thumb full every 1" along the entire row.

Sorry Stompy, but I think you are too generous with your seed