Giant Carrot Question???

[ginger ninger]

As the title says. I have some questions about growing some giant carrots this year. Hopefully the champion growers amongst us won't mind sharing a little of there wisdom with me...pleeeeease . I'm in competition with 5 other people and unlike last years marrow (6 ins ) I really would like to win.

The questions are...

1. Whats the best variety to grow?
2. Whats the best growing medium to grow them in?
3. When's the best time to sow them?

I have some 3 foot deep long toms...would they be OK to grow them in?
Any help would be very much appreciated.

[solway cropper]

If you are going for length then not a stump-rooted variety. I know people who grow them in those big blue plastic drums which must be at least 3 or 4 foot deep and they use a mixture of peat-based compost and sharp sand with a bit of feed thrown in but they all have their own secret recipes

Check out the National Vegetable Society website for tips.

[ginger ninger]

Thanks s.c for the tip about the N.V.S. When I get chance I'll have a look. xx

[coreopsis]

Vegmandan grew some last year.Have a look at this:
Exhibition long show carrot growing attempt 2010

[CaroltheCarrot]

Well, you take a 5`6 blonde and a 6`2 ginger and you get a 5`9 carrot
sorry couldnt resist

[ginger ninger]

Well, you take a 5`6 blonde and a 6`2 ginger and you get a 5`9 carrot
sorry couldnt resist

...trust you Carol, but this ginger's only 5' 4 . xx

[Florence Fennel]

This is of interest to me too Ginge. Well before Christmas I found, in a skip, a box with divided sections, very sturdy and deep. One of my friends (you know how useless Himself is) drilled some holes in the bottom for me, 'cause I fancied growing some giant carrots. I'd forgotten about it until now.

[chris]

Dunno how big you want to go, but my Autumn King grew huge in soil/compost mix - bottom of t bed lined with loads of wetted down newspaper. I guess the root drove down to get to the water (I didn't water them) and then just swelled up once it hit that supply of water?

[PAULW]

FLACKEE are suposed to be the favourite among show growers

[dave_norm_smith]

Buy (Long Carrot) New Red Intermediate - Javelot online from Exhibition Seeds

These were the ones I was going to have a play with using the link to Dans site that Coreopsis supplied. Check Smithyveg blog as well (link from Dans Site)

Dave

[ginger ninger]

Thank so much for the advice peeps. I want to grow BIIIIIIIIG carrots so I can kick the backsides of my fellow gardeners. I do hope that doesn't sound too aggressive...but I WANT TO WIN