Carrots
@belindayhughes (1096)
United States
February 22, 2013 2:52am CST
I don't have much experience growing carrots as yet. I finally managed to grow some carrots this past year. I think those carrots were the Nantes variety. They didn't grow very long, because the wild rabbits kept eating their lacy green foliage. Finally, I saw the orange of the carrots breaching the soil. I followed directions and mounded some earth around it to recover and waited for it to breach the soil again. i did this a couple times, then began harvesting. The first two were more like orange marbles, short and round. I let a little more time pass before harvesting the remaining two. They were progressively longer, but the last one was only four and a half inches long. I think next time, I'll try growing them in deep, wide, plastic pots, instead of my raised garden beds, which are only about two feet deep. Maybe then I'll have better results growing carrots to eat.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
22 Feb 13
If your beds are not very deep, you will probably have more success with the shorter rooted varieties such as Chantenay or globe carrots. If you have a problem with rabbits you can protect them by surrounding them with netting (the beds, not the rabbits!).
Carrots can be grown in pots which are at least 10" or 12" deep. They like a deep, free draining, sandy soil, so mix plenty of sand or perlite in with the compost when filling the pots.
This site may be useful: http://www.grow-it-organically.com/carrot-varieties.html
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@belindayhughes (1096)
• United States
22 Feb 13
Wow, owl, I really like your style with sharing high quality information about growing carrots. I've just begun fencing my garden this season after two years of trying other remedies for wildlife intrusion. So far, so good. The carrot pots will be in the greenhouse, so not accessible to wildlife, except for raccoons that opened my doors during winter. Propping my garden wagon against the greenhouse doors seems to be doing the trick.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
23 Feb 13
Thanks for the information, as I'll try the carrot varieties in Owlwing's post. I'll check out the site also, as I'm growing everything organically now. I think its better for my family.
1 person likes this
@prashu228 (37526)
• India
23 Feb 13
Good one. I like them too but the soil where we live is not suitable for growing carrots. we grow brinjal in pots.
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@echoforever (5180)
• United States
24 Feb 13
That's good you're able to grow a lot of vegetables for your own convenience. Now you'll have some carrots for your meals home grown.
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@belindayhughes (1096)
• United States
24 Feb 13
Heya echo, nice to see you again. My grandmother used to grow most of her own vegetables, including carrots, I think. She used to cook me a pot of steamed carrots, served with a little butter, sugar and cinnamon. Yummy!
@echoforever (5180)
• United States
2 Mar 13
Sounds delicious. I would like to try this and I will remember it for the next time I have some good carrots to steam.
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@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
24 Feb 13
Hello my friend, to be honest I have never had much luck when it comes to growing carrots, so much so that I gave up trying to grow them, they would end up spindly and unappetizing and very small. I prefer to grow radishes, beans, onions, tomatoes and spinach these are far easier to grow, which is a shame as I like carrots, especially home grown ones, and they are so versatile.
1 person likes this
@belindayhughes (1096)
• United States
24 Feb 13
Hey wolfs, good to see you again. Sorry carrots are not your strong suit. Not growing any yet this year, as I'm out of space nearly. But when I do, I'll think of you.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
23 Feb 13
I don't have success with carrots; however, most of my fruits and vegetables are now growing in pots. The response by the other poster does answer the question for why my carrots aren't doing well, as clearly I'm growing the wrong kind.
1 person likes this
@belindayhughes (1096)
• United States
23 Feb 13
Hey Fishmomma. There are several different types of carrots available for the home gardener in any situation and hardiness zone. Best of luck!
