[Ma and Pa Snip]

A little while back I mentioned that my daughter had decided that our growing competition this year would be for longest carrot.

Unknown to me she apparently tried to get a head start on me by sowing some seeds a couple of weeks back, so my plans have now gone into action.

Thanks to DD I have opted for St Valery as the variety of choice.
Thanks to Learners post on Nige2plots thread on toilet roll tubes thread I have now obtained some thick wall (1/4 inch) carpet roll tube.

First job was to cut a couple of lengths of the tube to 30 inches each.
One has also been cut to 48 inches, but not yet put into operation.

Taped one end of the tubes with duct tape, leaving small gaps to allow some water drainage.

Made a growing medium using
40% home made compost
40% good grade topsoil
20% sharp sand
Mixed throughly and sieved.
Gently tampered mix down in tube,
sown seeds and await to see what happens.

48 inch tube on agenda for weekend.

Plan is that I will drill small holes down the side of tubes to allow water to be introduced progressively by micro pipe further down the tube over the growing season.

 Daughter hasnt been round yet so has no idea how I'm growing mine.  Conversely I havent been round to hers to see how shes attempting it.

Will it work, pass,
Will the 1/4 inch wall of the cardboard tube give out before the carrots get any length, probably.

But it'll be a bit of competitive fun

[Ma and Pa Snip]

 

[Nige2Plots]

Ma and Pa, I like your style. That sounds a fantastic idea. Good luck

[Ma and Pa Snip]

Ma and Pa, I like your style. That sounds a fantastic idea. Good luck

Ty Nige, but credit has to go to your thread as well, without which I wouldnt have got the idea of trying the carpet tubes.

Mind you, I could have waited 'til April 1st and then said our loo rolls are bigger than yours  

BTW, you weren't on 'Flog It' from Warwick Castle today were you?,
Bidding on Corgi Toys at Stratford per chance  

[Nige2Plots]

Ma and Pa, I like your style. That sounds a fantastic idea. Good luck

Ty Nige, but credit has to go to your thread as well, without which I wouldnt have got the idea of trying the carpet tubes.

Mind you, I could have waited 'til April 1st and then said our loo rolls are bigger than yours  

BTW, you weren't on 'Flog It' from Warwick Castle today were you?,
Bidding on Corgi Toys at Stratford per chance  

No, it was not me I'm afraid I was at work and in the afternoon, on the plots

[Nige2Plots]

I forgot to ask! How many seeds per tube?

[Ma and Pa Snip]

I forgot to ask! How many seeds per tube?

Well!!!!! I was aiming for 4 but I think a couple more got in on the act.

Idea is I intend thinning to just the one per tube, selecting the strongest looking.