Some help with my Carrots please

[Ian White]

Hi all

I have sowen some carrots in a seed tray and they are on my window sill,some are just popping up though the compost,So i need to pick them out and put them into pots would peat pots be any good would the carrot grow down and out of the bottom or do i need a deep pot for them.

And i have also done the same with some Parsnips would i do the same with them as i do with the carrots

Thanks for reading and all the best,Ian

[Jeanied]

Ian both of those hate to be transplanted so do it sooner rather than later into their final growing positions. And watch out for slugs.

[Alex_Parrott]

Same as Jeanied. Carrotts dont take kindly to being moved and will likely come out all out of shape (speaking from experience). If possible sow them direct to their final position in your next sowing and as Jeanied said watch out for the dreaded slugs

[rustylady]

Carrots and parsnips dont do well in seed trays. Modules would have been better, but even better is direct sowing where they will grow to maturity.

[Two_Sheds]

As the others have said above.

If you want to sow in modules, use loo rolls or kitchen towel rolls. Then plant the whole thing in the ground.

Carrots & parsnips like loose, stone-free soil. Carrots should be covered against root fly

[Flummery]

I'd go for direct sowing with carrots - one of the few things I do sow direct.

[Snadger]

The only carrots I would contemplate starting in pots is the 'Paris Market' type of round carrots.
These don't form a taproot and are shallow rooted so would possibly be ok......

TBH all carrots are best sown direct IMO!

[Ian White]

Thanks for all your reply's you live and learn ok i will sow direct then.

Thanks,Ian

[Lazgaot]

As everyone has said, sow them directly into their final positions. You can also plant them in deep troughs, buckets or barrels.

[Chelmsleybloke]

Hi all

I have sowen some carrots in a seed tray and they are on my window sill,some are just popping up though the compost,So i need to pick them out and put them into pots would peat pots be any good would the carrot grow down and out of the bottom or do i need a deep pot for them.

And i have also done the same with some Parsnips would i do the same with them as i do with the carrots

Thanks for reading and all the best,Ian

Well Ian, carrots and parsnips don't transplant very well (if they do take they will probably fork)- usual to sow both where they will grow. Sow carrots thinly so you don't have to thin too much. Thin in the evening when carrot fly less active. - take thinnings away 'cus the smell attracts them. Use short rooted variety if your soul is stony. Parsnips: I sow 3 or 4 seeds at each station and leave the best one (be patient as they take ages to germinate - about 21 days) Wait til the soil warms up otherwise they will rot. Good Luck. Paul :-)

[teakdesk]

Well I know what everyone is saying....

BUT....

if I sow parsnips direct they germinate, start to produce top growth....

and get eaten by slugs!!



I get a magazine and tear a few pages off, roll up loosely around a rolling pin and sellotape together. This makes a tube about a foot tall. Put a few of these into a Morrison's flower pot and fill tubes with compost. Sow seed as you would normally. When top growth is flourishing transplant the whole tube into final positions.

This method does produce more forked parsnips than direct sowing but at least I get a parsnip from each planting station and they are delicious to eat even if badly forked or stunted!!!