[gwltabb]

Hi,

carrots are around 2 inch high now, ready for thinning. Never done this before, is it necessary to pull them out whole i.e. roots included? I tried one tonight but they are stuck in quite firmly an so only managed to pull out the leaves, leaving the roots. My worry is is that to get the whole root as well will mean distrubing the soil around the ones that will be left in to dislodge the roots.

Any advice?

[Jamie Butterworth]

Im not sure about how to lift them but I do know that you must do it at the evening and dont leave them on your plot as the smell can and probably will attract the dreaded carrot fly.

[boldondig]

I snip the tops with scissors.. fiddly... but I have never had a problem doing this.

[Spana]

Is your ground a bit dry.  They come out of moist soil easier.  Do them in stages and pull the whole carrot out. Eat the thinning when they're big enough.

[slowcompost]

Thin them when the ground is damp, easier and the ones left will not be so disturbed.  I just poke a finger down the side and ease up 3or 4 carrots every couple of inches.
 But if they're not too dense i would'nt bother thinning just start using them as soon as they're big enough.

[solway cropper]

Sow them a bit thinner next year 

[PAULW]

I never thin mine, they elbow each other aside and as slowcompost said as you pull the bigger ones to eat it give the others room to grow.

[Zippy]

Thin them? Thin them! Are you winding me up? It's taking all my time and patience to grow them!