How to Grow Carrots
January 6, 2012
|
Sowing Time |
Planting Time |
Soil |
Spacing |
Cutting / Lifting Time |
Storage |
Cooking |
|
Unless growing carrots for show purposes grow them as close as possible to avoid having to weed. Water during dry periods. Pull up small carrots from June and lift the main crop in October and store between layers of sand. Keep in a cool, dry place checking occasionally for any that may be rotting. They should keep until March. |
||||||
| Early March under glass, mid March outdoors to Mid August | n/a | Deep, fertile soil. For long rooted stock the soil must be sandy. Prepare seed bed 2-3 weeks prior to sowing and do not add manure or compost | Sow thinly and thin out seedlings to 2-3ins apart and 6ins between rows. | Early June to late December | Will keep in a food bag in the fridge for up to two weeks. For freezing use small carrots, blanch for 5 mins and use within 12 months | Top and tail. No need to remove the skin unless they are old. Only just cover the carrots with salted water and boil for 10-20 mins. |
|
Trouble |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Prevention |
|
Blackened Carrot Roots seen on stored carrots |
Burn diseased roots |
Store properly and do not use the same land for carrots next year | |
|
Reddish leaves which wilt in the sun. Seedlings die and mature roots are riddled with holes and will rot |
None |
Don’t grow near tall plants, sow thinly and destroy all thinnings | |
|
Not serious but will produce blackened roots |
None |
Dig out any clay in the soil before sowing | |
|
Distorted, discoloured and stunted leaves and weak plants. Transmits Motley Dwarf Virus. |
Spray at first sign of attack |
None | |
|
Forked roots |
None |
Don’t add manure or compost prior to sowing. Don’t make beds too firm | |
|
Tops of carrots are green caused by exposure to the sun |
None |
Earth up around the carrots | |
|
Discoloured leaves, reduced growth and yield. Spread by Carrot-Willow Aphid. |
None |
Spray young carrots | |
|
Small carrots |
None |
Dig soil deeply and break up any clay by adding well-rotted manure or compost | |
|
Mouldy Roots found on stored carrots |
None |
Ensure roots are firm and disease free before storing | |
|
Split roots caused by heavy rain. These carrots will not store successfully |
None but can still be eaten |
Water regularly in dry weather and apply a mulch to conserve moisture | |
|
Hollowed-out roots caused by caterpillars |
None |
Use Chlorophos to control | |
|
Mouldy roots and yellowing leaves |
None |
Rotate crops | |
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