Originating from the Mediterranean, planting carrots has become popular among many gardeners the world over. The following should be kept in mind when growing this root crop.
Selecting and Digging the Soil
Full sunshine is necessary. Carrots will grow in shade but it won’t taste as well. The pH level must be at least 5.8. The maximum is 6.8. The hole must be 12 inches deep. Don’t forget to get rid of stones and twigs in the area. This will cause root stunting. It could also get forked.
You also need to add a lot of organic matter. This is necessary if the soil used is heavy. If you’re planting carrots in sandy soil, organic matter is required to keep moisture in place. The bottom line: if you want your carrots sweet, plant them in moist soil. Immerse the seeds in water for 6 hours. This will allow for faster germination.
Sowing
Sowing time should be three weeks prior to the final frost in cool areas. If you live in a warm place, you can grow them in the spring, autumn or winter. The early sowings need to be shallow. Add the seeds along the ground and add some of the compost. A thin layer will be enough. If the soil is warm, plant them half an inch deep.
Managing Growth
Planting carrots requires some snipping. You can cut the greens or take the roots from the ground. Be careful when pulling the roots out so no plants will get damaged.
For younger plants, spraying compost tea will help it grow. Combining mulch with compost keeps weeds away. An inch of water a week is enough. This needs to be lessened as it grows. Look at the seed packet for more information on this matter.
They’ll be ripe for the picking when the color is a deep orange. If you pick them off at an earlier time, the taste will be unsatisfactory.
More Planting Carrot Tips
Prolonging the harvest is possible. You do this by making succession plantings. Do this every two weeks until the temperature goes up to 80 F.
When the weather cools in the fall, plant more crops. Root crops require potassium, so remember this when you plant. You can add potassium by spraying wood ashes on the site prior to sowing.
For container planting, a 12” pot with drainage is needed. Add compost to the potting soil. Nourish them with compost tea until they reach half a foot in height. Some variants are especially good for growing in containers. Check with your nursery or supplier for more information.
Make certain the roots are completely covered. If it isn’t the carrots will be very bitter and assume a greenish color. Don’t use fertilizers with nitrogen as it will stunt root growth. If the carrots grow a branch, it’s a sure sign they are getting too much nitrogen.
The best way to learn about planting carrots is to just do it. With these tips, you can get started on the right track.
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