[willowman]

I want to grow a few carrots for myself (she who must be obeyed not keen on them) and, instead of planting in a bucket or container, I thought I could plant them singly in cardboard tubes, because -
We have loads of these left over from our business.
It would cut down on the amount of compost needed.
They could be kept in a litter tray on a shelf away from the dreaded carrot fly.
They would each have their individual environment - ah, bless.
Has anybody any comments, for or against?

[DavidT]

It`s dependent on the size of the tubes I think.  I wouldn`t say the idea was a complete no no. You would need to choose a carrot to fit the tubes, but give it a try, carrot seed is cheap enough.

[DavidT]

Forgot to say, when I was showing I would grow carrots in 4inch (diameter) pipes

[Eatyourgreens]

This is exactly what one of the Gardeners World Presenters is doing except he is using plastic pipe of about 2 inch diameter.

I am growing Carrots in 8 inch plastic tubes at the moment, I have 7 seeds per tube and 5 tubes, each set a week apart, all are doing well, but because they drain so well are taking a bit of watering.

Your problem will be if the cardboard goes soft.



Bob

[Bozwell]

I use plastic downpipe and reuse them each year for showing.  But if you can get your tubes for free it doesn't matter if they only last one season. What growing medium do you fill your tubes with? I prefer composted bark myself, the carrots throw long tap roots down through it easily and it has less nutrients than multi purpose so the roots are less likely to fork.
I know what you mean about the carrot fly I am trying the resistant ones this year out in the raised beds though I don't know how much of a resistance they have or how big they will get. We live in hope.