Carrot growing advice needed please
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Yorky Rank attained: Silver Birch Tree

Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 196
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Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject: Carrot growing advice needed please |
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I considered sowing carrots today but fear it's too cold yet plus there was a frost last night. (North east of Ireland).
The site is a raised bed which was covered in autumn leaves last October but they didn't rot down over winter so I removed them last week. The bed needed topping up so I put two bags of old peat free compost which I used to grow potatoes in last year. Should I fork this in or just sow directly in to the compost? The soil underneath is heavyish clay but not compacted from walking on as it's in a raised bed.
Also, I fancy having a go at growing long carrots in an old dustbin for a country show in August. Can anyone suggest how to go about this ie sowing rate and growing medium etc.
Thanks in advance.
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inishindie Rank attained: Tree plantation keeper

Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 563 Location: inishowen Ireland
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Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 7:07 pm Post subject: Forking |
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Strange things can happen if conditions aren't right.....
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Foxylock Rank attained: Sessile Oak Tree


Joined: 08 Aug 2009 Posts: 291 Location: cork
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Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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This might solve the question as to how carrots multiply....................
Personally I use a calculator.
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James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 12:21 am Post subject: Re: Carrot growing advice needed please |
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Quote: | The bed needed topping up so I put two bags of old peat free compost which I used to grow potatoes in last year. Should I fork this in or just sow directly in to the compost? |
Fork it in.
Quote: | The soil underneath is heavyish clay but not compacted from walking on as it's in a raised bed. |
As you are dealing with a root vegetable, deep, fertile, and slightly sandy soil is preferred. The sand aids drainage as well as allowing the soil to warm up as quickly as possible in spring. If your soil is sticky, stony, or shallow, then I suggest you instead opt for sowing short-rooted carrot varieties in early summer..... Chantenay Red Cored 2 for example.
Quote: | Also, I fancy having a go at growing long carrots in an old dustbin for a country show in August. Can anyone suggest how to go about this ie sowing rate and growing medium etc.
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Check out this in-depth article on carrot growing for further tips..... Carrot growing - Carrots how to grow, tips, varieties, cooking.
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Blowin Rank attained: Vegetable garden tender
Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 930 Location: Drimoleague, Co Cork
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:15 am Post subject: Carrot Seed Economy |
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I had a tip passed on to me recently which I'm going to try this year.
Carrot seed, as we know, is very fine and therefore difficult to sow thinly. It then becomes necessary to waste most of your crop through thinning.
My informant tells me that you should mix a solution of ordinary wallpaper paste -NOT FUNGICIDAL - and put your seed in it. Stir thoroughly and it will separate the individual seeds nicely. Then, using the process for icing cakes, take a tough polythene bag, fill it with the mixture, cut off a corner and you can then 'pipe' it into the drill you've prepared (or the length of guttering/eave shute if you start yours that way).
I'm told that, not only does this do the separation for you but the wallpaper paste contains nutrients that give the seed a good start. The fungicidal sort actually kills the seed.
_________________ A novice gardener on newly cultivated, stoney ground. |
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treehugger Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 13
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:19 am Post subject: |
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Soil intended to grow carrots should ideally be manured the previous autumn ,
the addition of organic matter before you sow usually results in a crop of carrots with forked roots .
It might be a good idea to use a part of the raised bed where you have not added compost.
The carrots in the bin sounds like a good idea, try find yourself some good quality loam or you could lighten up your heavy clay with the addition of fine horticultural sand( do not use builders sand) .
Happy growing.
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michael brenock Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1275 Location: cork
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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Growing carrots in a barrel or container such as a pipe, for exhibiting at a show should be sown in a deep stone free medium to light loam. the soil should be well mixed with any fresh soil added in. Sow seeds about 2-3 inches apart. Thin out to 6 inches apart as they get bigger (say 2 inches high) and thin out finally to 10-12 inches. Always keep them moist and free of weeds. keep a sharp look out for slugs aphids and carrot fly. The latter is kept out by covering with fleece or close net. Grow in a warm place that is well sheltered, good drainage is essential for good length.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)
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