[Diddy Gardener]

Oh forum gurus... is it too early to sow my carrots yet? Was going to sow them outside in flower buckets in flour-like soil in the hope of getting more carrot looking carrots rather than 'That's Life' looking carrots.

If still a little early, how about putting the buckets in the frost free greenhouse... or am I just best waiting (and stop being so impatient) and sowing directly outside in the buckets?

[mattwragg94]

i sowed some outside a few weeks ago - and there just poking through. so yes.

[DD.]

I'm hoping to get a move on now, starting tomorrow with peas, closely followed by carrots. I do note that you are quite a bit further north than me though.

I'd sow them in the greenhouse then move the bucket outside in due course.

[Diddy Gardener]

Excellent... thanks chaps - now where did I leave my soil sieve thingy (technical term) 

[Carrot Man]

I sowed some long and short carrots beginning of March
If you are in a cold area, sow the seeds, then cover with fleece and a layer of polythene, until they have germinated

[DD.]

Don't quite see the point of that when sowing in buckets that can easily be moved into the greenhouse.

[sunshineband]

I'd struggle to find enough space in the greenhouse at this time of the year for buckets of carrots, so wait until it is warm enough to sow outdoors

[arugula]

Have a look at Beechgrove.

[mattwragg94]

you just reminded me that its on now.

[arugula]

And you've missed the segment on ground prep for and sowing of carrots. 

[mattwragg94]

no i think ive sky plussed it upstairs - fingers crossed

[arugula]

fingers crossed

Indeed.

[Carrot Man]

Don't quite see the point of that when sowing in buckets that can easily be moved into the greenhouse.

Well yes if you have room in greenhouse I guess
I was just giving another alternative

[shoozie]

And you've missed the segment on ground prep for and sowing of carrots. 

I've not seen beechgrove yet but will catch it tomorrow - hope its good 

Diddy - we sowed a trough of early Nantes in the greenhouse at the end of feb this year and last year (it'll be moving outside soon) to give us salad carrots by the end of June. So, if you've space in the greenhouse go ahead.  We'll start sowing them outside next week - but the carrot bed has had a cold frame on top of it for the last 2 weeks.  I guess since we're probably not a million miles away in terms of weather at the moment and over the year, your timings should be roughly similar - our ground sowings will be cloched until they germinate. Hope this helps 

[potatogrower]

sown carrots last week in 2 huge flower pots in fine compost. been growing carrots in the ground for last 2 years and not very good results. will the compare the results from last year. if good i'll be sticking with growing in these pots