When starting to grow your own vegetables, carrots are a fairly easy crop to get you going.
Preparation
You can start digging over the soil where you plan to sow your carrot seeds in early spring. Remove any stones and turn the soil well so it has a fine texture. You should be thinking about sowing your carrot seeds in late March or April (may need to be protected with a Cloche or fleece in colder parts of the country). A week or so before you plan to sow, rake in some general fertilizer (manure will make the soil too rich, so avoid using it).
Sowing
There are several varieties of carrot available. We suggest a hardy variety such as 'Flyaway'. These carrots grow well, are resistant to Carrot Fly and taste great! Other varieties include: Autumn King, Mignon and Nantes Tiptop.
Choose a dry, sunny day and sow the carrot seeds thinly in shallow holes (or Drills). 2-4cm deep is fine. Cover the seeds with soil and protect with a cloche or fleece if the weather is still chilly. If you don't have a cloche or fleece, wait a couple of weeks before sowing.
Maintaining your crop
Once the seeds have germinated and the first young leaves begin to show, thin the seedlings out so they have enough room to grow properly. 5-6cm between seedlings should be ok.
Water well and regularly during the next few months to help the carrots swell. If you do not water carrots well, they will be tough and woody when you come to harvest them.
Harvesting
You should be able to start harvesting your carrots in late June or early July. Pull your carrots in the evening to avoid attracting Carrot Fly. Once you have harvested your lovely homegrown carrots, re sow the plot for your second harvest. You can store carrots for a considerable time. Cut off the foliage, lay them separatly in a strong box filled with clean sand. Store the box in a cool, dry place.
Pests
Carrot flies are your main concern. They are attracted by crushed foliage. Pick your carrots in the evening and water the remainder well afterwards.
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