I’ve started to pick some of my carrots from the garden. At first I was disappointed in their appearance, scrawny little stubs that they were. Then I realized it was unfair to compare my first attempt at growing anything to the showroom specimens in my local supermarket. Especially when they aren’t even the same species.
Most supermarket carrots are of the Danvers
I planted the carrot seeds late April in a tray of potting soil. Of all the seeds I planted, these had the highest germination rate. Nearly every one grew into a plant. When about 2 inches tall I transplanted them into raised rows 4 inches apart. They required almost no care other than weeding. As they grow low to the ground, you have to watch for other plants shading them. Provide about an inch of water per week. With all the hail and rain we had this year, not a single carrot suffered storm damage.
What I learned.
- Pick the carrots before the tops harden in the sun.
- Really sift the soil for rocks and pebbles. Rocks make the carrot bend out of shape and stunt it’s growth.
- Probably no point using potting soil and then transplanting. They seem hardy enough to plant right into the soil.
- Dig the carrots out rather than yanking, especially if their shapes aren’t perfect cylinders.
- Carrot seeds are dirt cheap. You can get a few hundred for a dollar. Plant them right into the garden in a straight line, then thin them later. It will save you a bit of work as it’s easier to yank out a few than to delicately transplant a seedling.
My plan is to let at least one of the plants grow to seed. I’m hoping to either grow a 2nd crop this year, or save the seeds for next year. Carrots are a great crop for the novice gardener. But unless you want to grow 100% of your vegetables, I didn’t taste anything so wonderful about home grown carrots compared to store carrots. But if you regularly buy carrots, you could save some money in the long run as the seeds are so cheap.
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I suppose in the end of the day the shape and size of the carrots do not matter. Once they are all chopped up ready for cooking or for a salad, nobody would know any difference. Some of these specimens look like something from a Spielberg movie – Carrot Top (CT) Go Home
For me, growing vegetables is a learning experience. I eventually learn what works and what doesn’t. Last year I tried to grow many of my vegetables from seeds, but they didn’t grow very well, so this year I didn’t try from seeds. I’ll probably try from seeds again in the future when I have more time to tend to them.
I do, however, always grow my carrots from seeds. The only problem is my garden isn’t the greatest for growing root plants such as carrots. This year I have managed to grow a few, so hopefully they grow nicely.
I don’t care what they look like, as long as they are edible.
BTW, I think the second carrot on the left at the top looks like a pair of legs. Just saying.
They do look pretty odd, but I guess that’s not so important as long as they’re edible. I’m liking the new gardening blog, btw.
Fergie: Thanks, I find it much less stressful. Fewer death threat from some clown in California.
Paul: I try planting everything I can get my hands on. If I find anything that even looks like it’s sprouting, I plant it to see what happens. It’s all part of the fun.
Lyndi: I sent those carrots directly to the chopping block.
You grew a quarter? That’s awesome!
No, I paid someone a quarter to tell me if the carrots tasted like weedkiller.
Wow, mutant carrots. Is your garden on an old nuclear test ground?
Turnip, my friend:
I am truly a fool, let me tell you a little story. .
Due to a combination of your newly themed site and a constant urging from my doc to get off my fat behind and get some much needed exercise, I planter a small garden. It consists of mostly tomatoes and weeds, although I do have 1 (lol) fairly puny stalk of corn.
Today I decided to harvest the red tomatoes I had to make salsa with some hot peppers that my buddy brought over. Everything went well I got around eight pretty nice tomatoes and a few dozen or so of the cherry tomatoes and took them in to wash off.
Then being the fool I am I decided to use my brand new cordless weedeater that I got as a gift but have been to lazy to use it. It worked great except when I smacked a tree I was trimming around. I mean there I was in my slip on tennis shoes with now sock and WAP WAP WAP (continue WAPS). From the time I felt the sting until my finger let loose of the trigger I counted seven (7!) fairy long lash marks. I was dancing around and cursing at myself as you can imagine! This only goes to prove I am Fool.
BTW How have you been?
Fool, I’m doing ok, all things considered. Bronchitis earlier in the summer, and now a case of the swimmers ear bothering me.
Power tools are always a serious danger. I have a 70’s era hedge clipper that looks like a ninja power sword. I have to turn it off every minute to recollect my thoughts, making sure the cord and all body parts are safely away, and that I have good control over the tool.
A weedeater is one of those tools I’ve been meaning to replace with something more serious. We have a cheap corded one, and an annoying battery pack one. The charge lasts for like 5 minutes. Gas power is the only way to go. Until then I use two handed shears as the other weedwackers are useless.
Once upon a time, when we had a large carden, I kept trying to grow carrots, but we had very heavy clay soil and they were infested with carrot fly. Eventually I tried growing them in containers with fresh compost (not home made), just until they were finger sized. They were deliciously sweet! And pest free. Potatoes were less of a problem but one year I lined the trench with compost just to help improve that soil, nad the potatoes were much more free of scab. I don’t particularly worry about potato scab (I was told it improves the flavour), but it was interesting all the same.