![]() When growing carrots, germination is the hard part. In silty soils it minimizes the crusting effect of rain, overhead watering, and harsh sun.Ĭover the seeds with ¼” (6mm) of fine mulch, and water thoroughly. The mulch helps hold soil moisture in near the seeds, speeding germination. Whether you’re growing carrots in a single-dug, deep-dug, or raised garden bed, it helps to shake or sift a layer of very fine mulch over the row or bed. Aim for a seed every inch or two over the entire surface of the bed. Wetting the seeds and coating them with fine, dry sand (“pelletizing”) makes this task easier. If you’re planting carrots in a deep-dug or raised garden bed (soil prepared to a depth of 20-24”–50-60cm), broadcast carrot seeds carefully over the bed. ![]() Eventually, the burlap deteriorates, and can be incorporated into the soil at the end of the season as organic matter for the next crop. The burlap acts like a fine mulch: the fibers hold moisture, speed germin-ation, and protect the soil surface. Since this is so much work, you’ll have much better success with Nantes, Chantaney, or “Mini” varieties when growing carrots in clay soil.Īn old gardening trick is to lay sheets of burlap over the row or bed after sowing carrot seeds. See Improving Clay Soil for more information. The trick for growing carrots in clay soil is to improve soil porosity and drainage, and break up all the heavy clods. I can’t count how many stubby, 3” (7cm) carrots with 3 twisted roots at the bottom have come out of my gardens while I was working this out. Growing carrots in clay soil is a real challenge. Water thoroughly, and don’t allow the soil surface to dry out before carrot seedlings germinate. Then layer on another ½” (1cm), and lightly rake it into the top 1” (2.5cm) of soil before sowing seeds. To get around this, layer on 2” (5cm) of sifted garden compost or well-aged manure, and mix it into the top 6” (15cm) of soil with a hoe or tiller. For more information on soil texture types, see Facts About Soil. Silty soils tend to form hard surface crusts that are difficult for tiny carrot seedlings to penetrate. But growing carrots in a silty soil can be tricky. Don’t use fresh manure just before planting, unless you want a lot of carrot-tops, and spindly, useless roots.Ĭarrots also grow well in silty soils, as long as there aren’t too many small rocks. See Gardening in Sandy Soil for more information. If you use fresh manure, work it into the soil in the fall where you plan to plant carrots in the spring. If your soil is excessively sandy, incorporate 2-3” (5-8cm) of good garden compost or well-aged manure to improve water retention. It has a fine, even texture, good drainage, and enough organic matter to hold moisture in the soil. Sandy loam is the best soil type for growing carrots. Half-long Nantes varieties need 8” (20cm) of finely-prepared soil to form uniform roots. Imperator carrots need 10-12” (25-30cm) of finely-prepared soil. Soils that drain poorly, have dense clods, or have lots of small rocks result in forked and distorted carrots. Carrots need a light, even soil texture to form perfect roots. Soil tilth is critical when growing carrots. Harvesting Carrots Garden Preparation for Growing CarrotsĬarrot Seedbed 5 Weeks After Planting © Steve Masley (Click IMAGE to Enlarge) When growing carrots, you can sow seeds anywhere from 2 weeks before your last frost date in the spring, to 70 days before your first frost date in the fall. They can survive hard frosts, but not sustained freezing temperatures. Seedlings and immature carrots are more susceptible to freezing temperatures. ![]() Just get them out of the ground before it freezes solid, or you won’t be able to get to them until next spring. They can withstand freezing temperatures, and cold weather makes them even sweeter. Mature carrots have a lot of sugar, and sugar acts as anti-freeze in plants, interfering with ice crystal formation that disrupts cells. If you start a new patch as soon as the last one is up and growing, you’ll have fresh carrots from your garden most of the year.Ĭarrots are resilient in the face of cold weather. Once the carrots have sprouted and you’ve thinned them to optimal spacing, all you’ve got to do is water and harvest.įor a steady supply of carrots, sow small patches every 2-3 weeks. With carrots, the work is all front-loaded in the first 4-6 weeks after sowing. Soil tilth, germination, and thinning are the biggest issues when growing carrots. Growing Carrots in a Raised Bed © Steve Masley (Click IMAGE to Enlarge) Growing Tomatoes in Cool-Summer Gardens. ![]()
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