OaklandCityFarmer
Deeply Rooted
So because this is the official carrot thread I've made an Official Carrot Post for reference. This does not contain all information carrot but could help with some info. Also, I am not saying that these are the only methods that work but methods that have worked in my own experiences. Please add as necessary.
A few varieties:
Thumbelina. Good for containers and heavy soils.
Chantenay Red Cored 2. Good for containers and heavy soils.
Danvers Half-long. Good for containers and heavy soils.
Nantes Half-long. Good for containers and heavy soils.
Carotene 200. Good fall and winter producer.
Scarlet Nantes. Old time favorite. Sweet and good producer.
Topweight. Resists most carrot pests and diseases.
Royal Chantenay. Very sweet
Cool Varieties:
Belgian White. White skin and flesh.
French Round. Almost complete round.
Sinclair's. A yellow variety.
Dragon. Purple skin with orange flesh. Highly nutritious.
Rainbow. Grows as a variety of pastel colors.
Soil: carrots prefer a moist but well drained soil that is deep and loose at about a 6.5 pH level. Compost should be added at the beginning of the season but do not *over* compost as this may cause forking. Never use compost unless it is FULLY finished as this too may cause forking.
Planting: Direct seed carrots since transplanting may cause forking. Carrots need warm soil conditions (around 80 degrees) to sprout and will usually come up in about 7-20 days. Plant seeds about 1/4 of an inch deep spacing them about an inch apart. It is very important to keep seeds moist and to ensure soil does not crust over preventing the sprouts to emerge. As seeds begin to germinate thin them when they are an inch tall. Or you can broadcast the seeds in a small trench and cover with soil, first thinning when they are an inch tall to about 1 inch spacing. After about 3 weeks after germination thin again to about 3-4 inches apart. More space for larger varieties. To have a continuous crop stagger planting weeks apart. A fall crop can be planted 2-3 months before the first frost.
Watering: At least 1" of water per week is required. Water deeply to promote root growth. Sandy soils may require more frequent watering.
Fertilizing: Many commercial *root* fertilizers have been marketed for carrot production, use discretion. Most of the time regular, FULLY finished compost works well as a side-dressing. Avoid excessive nitrogen as this may cause forking.
Harvesting: Carrots an be harvested at any time really once the roots have started to establish. *baby* carrots are usually harvest when the roots are about 4-5 inches long and tops 1/2" in diameter. For full sized carrots they can be harvested starting at 3/4" diameter tops to 1-1/2". Simply pull from the base of the carrot top or foliage and remove the carrot. Be careful not to damage the carrot. Wash and store in a cold (32-40 degrees) place with high relative humidity.
Companion Plants: Tomatoes (makes sweeter carrots), radishes (makes tender carrots), marigolds (helps prevent against nematodes)
Good luck!
A few varieties:
Thumbelina. Good for containers and heavy soils.
Chantenay Red Cored 2. Good for containers and heavy soils.
Danvers Half-long. Good for containers and heavy soils.
Nantes Half-long. Good for containers and heavy soils.
Carotene 200. Good fall and winter producer.
Scarlet Nantes. Old time favorite. Sweet and good producer.
Topweight. Resists most carrot pests and diseases.
Royal Chantenay. Very sweet
Cool Varieties:
Belgian White. White skin and flesh.
French Round. Almost complete round.
Sinclair's. A yellow variety.
Dragon. Purple skin with orange flesh. Highly nutritious.
Rainbow. Grows as a variety of pastel colors.
Soil: carrots prefer a moist but well drained soil that is deep and loose at about a 6.5 pH level. Compost should be added at the beginning of the season but do not *over* compost as this may cause forking. Never use compost unless it is FULLY finished as this too may cause forking.
Planting: Direct seed carrots since transplanting may cause forking. Carrots need warm soil conditions (around 80 degrees) to sprout and will usually come up in about 7-20 days. Plant seeds about 1/4 of an inch deep spacing them about an inch apart. It is very important to keep seeds moist and to ensure soil does not crust over preventing the sprouts to emerge. As seeds begin to germinate thin them when they are an inch tall. Or you can broadcast the seeds in a small trench and cover with soil, first thinning when they are an inch tall to about 1 inch spacing. After about 3 weeks after germination thin again to about 3-4 inches apart. More space for larger varieties. To have a continuous crop stagger planting weeks apart. A fall crop can be planted 2-3 months before the first frost.
Watering: At least 1" of water per week is required. Water deeply to promote root growth. Sandy soils may require more frequent watering.
Fertilizing: Many commercial *root* fertilizers have been marketed for carrot production, use discretion. Most of the time regular, FULLY finished compost works well as a side-dressing. Avoid excessive nitrogen as this may cause forking.
Harvesting: Carrots an be harvested at any time really once the roots have started to establish. *baby* carrots are usually harvest when the roots are about 4-5 inches long and tops 1/2" in diameter. For full sized carrots they can be harvested starting at 3/4" diameter tops to 1-1/2". Simply pull from the base of the carrot top or foliage and remove the carrot. Be careful not to damage the carrot. Wash and store in a cold (32-40 degrees) place with high relative humidity.
Companion Plants: Tomatoes (makes sweeter carrots), radishes (makes tender carrots), marigolds (helps prevent against nematodes)
Good luck!
) but I know they were something that was supposed to get about 6 inches long *shrug*
It tasted great though, for what it was worth!
