[Merce]

Last year I had great success growing carrots in large containers,I was wondering if I need to change the soil in these containers or will I be able to replant in the same soil this year?

[GrannieAnnie]

I usually tip the old soil out onto the veg garden and replace it, as the carrots will have taken out certain nutrients.  If you plant carrots again in the same soil this year, they may not grow as well, and you may get disease in the carrots.

If you didn't want to completely change the soil, can you add any manure, fresh compost, growmore or anything?

[CJ]

Same here, I have had great success with carrots in a deep square pot.  I put fresh compost in each year. 

I originally started them off indoors then planting out, but last year I planted some directly into the container a month later than the indoor ones, the ones planted directly were much more successful.

[sclarke624]

I thought carrots didn't like fresh compost as its rich and new.  I also thought it made them fork.  I must be wrong as you all have had success.

[peapod]

compost is fine sclarke, its manure that can make them fork

[Ice]

My carrots are in containers filled with 50/50 compost and sharp sand.  I'll dispose of the soil onto my raised beds and refill containers.

[GrannieAnnie]

Ah, are we talking bought in compowt, or manure here?  When I put carrots n containers, I use the potting compost that I buy for my seeds, mixed in with my ordinary soil,  and I didn't have any problems with forking.

Manure gives lovely results!!!! Actually, I've had some interesting carrots even without manure in the garden!!  There was the one that looked like a big fist with 4 fingers!!!

Oh Peapod, you just beat me to it!!!  

[sclarke624]

compost is fine sclarke, its manure that can make them fork

Well you live and learn.  Mine fork whatever I do to them but I'm not giving up.  First year I transplanted them to bed from seed tray.........thats a no no, secondyear don''t know what went wrong but also forked..........will see this year as I have some parmex round or stumpy ones to grow and ordernary tapering ones.

I use bought in compost.

[Debbie D]

What sort of size container do you need?  I have some seeds of the little round stumpy carrot variety (sorry if I am getting too technical there!) and just wondering what to plant them in.

[Duracell]

My carrots are in containers filled with 50/50 compost and sharp sand.  I'll dispose of the soil onto my raised beds and refill containers.

I did not know you could dilute the compost that much. Might give it a try as the sharp sand will be good for my clay soil after.

[peapod]

Manure gives lovely results!!!! Actually, I've had some interesting carrots even without manure in the garden!!  There was the one that looked like a big fist with 4 fingers!!!

Oh Peapod, you just beat me to it!!!  

LOL Im the same Annie, some of my snips were works of art last year 

[GrannieAnnie]

Here some I created earlier!!!!   

[Ice]

This is what my carrots are in at the moment.  It's my first time using containers as I have had no success in the soil.  They're B&Q folding boxes lined with plastic.

[peapod]

That carrot definately wins the strange veg award of the year annie 

[woodburner]

Here some I created earlier!!!!   

Wow! Even my PFA weren't as 'interesting' as your carrots!