Carrots in tubs?

[Jugula]

Hi folks!
I've been given some huge tubs recently, they're about 18" deep and 2 feet across. As well as planting carrots in my plot beds (I usually plant 'flyaway' to avoid the pests), I thought I might try a few different varieties in the big tubs, just to see how they go.

What would be the best soil mix to use in the tubs?

I've got a few bags of potting compost (from Aldi, dead cheap!)
Would it be fine to use it as it is?
What do you think?

Cheers,
Jugula

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Jugla
Not sure if this is correct, other Grapes with confirm if so, but this year I used bags of compost mixed in with something called "perlite" which has given me a much lighter compost to plant my seedlings in. Last year I planted everything in just compost - first year - learning fast now. Last year everything grew well, and hopefully the same will happen this year.
What do other Grapes think? Bernie aka Dexterdog

[bramble]

yes, would go with DD, the perlite lightens the soin and stops it sticking together in a great lump if the soil dries out. Plant some short variety of carrot like Paris market or other stump varieties. Don't forget to cover with netting to keep the dreaded carrot root fly at bay.

[Protea]

I've been keeping all my compost from spent seed trays which have had grit sand mixed in ad a layer of vermiculite on top - so its quite a crumbly mix now. I'm planning on using this to plant some container carrots in to see how they go - it also gives me value for money with the very expensive compost

[berksmike]

If its potting compost then I'm sure you'll be ok..
If in doubt you can mix it with perlite or sharp sand to lighten it.
Stump rooted varieties will do well and you might get away with intermediate length carrots but the thin tap root extends down greater than the main body of the root so they may be a bit stumpy.
Agree with bramble regarding covering them although I always use fleece rather than netting. Another tip is to sow thinly to avoid thinning out seedlings, and any thinning should be done in the morning on still days as the fly is attracted to the smell of crushed foliage.
You can also avoid carrot fly with resistant varieties and careful timing of sowings
The RHS has a useful link:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0500/carrot.asp

Mike

[thingybobby]

As long as compost not too rich, otherwise they might branch.

Also, carrot fly cannot fly over a certain height (can't remember exactly), but tubs generally avoid them.

My "Rainbow" carrots did well in tubs last year.

[SueA]

Hi Jugula, I would think as your tubs are 18in deep pretty much any variety of carrot will be O.K. in them.I've grown 'Early Nantes' & 'Amsterdam Forcing' in pots in the past , last year though I had no luck as the seedlings seemed to get eaten by something as soon as they came up - watch out for slugs & snails!

[bramble]

I think that the carrot root fly does'nt fly above 18inches if my memory serves me correctly. yes I agree fleece is best for covering carrots but i use old net curtains and they seem to do the trick.

[wellie]

I'm growing some very sweet, finger-sized 'Amsterdam Sweetheart' carrots in Windowbox Troughs on the staging in my greenhouse, which, if you can afford the space, provides a lovely early crop and no root-fly damage at all.

I've used ordinary Levingtons multipurpose compost, and set each seed 1" apart (you'd have to be a complete nutcase, like me, to actually do that, but I enjoy it! and it means no thinning at all). Last years' harvests were really good, hence repeating the exercise this year, with knobs on...!

The only bit of advice given above that I'd hesitate agreeing with is growing a stump-rooted variety. Why grow such a short carrot in an 18" deep pot when you could get 'so much more carrot for your money' from a longer/bulkier variety?
I wish you lots of luck.

[Snadger]

I'm growing some very sweet, finger-sized 'Amsterdam Sweetheart' carrots in Windowbox Troughs on the staging in my greenhouse, which, if you can afford the space, provides a lovely early crop and no root-fly damage at all.

I've used ordinary Levingtons multipurpose compost, and set each seed 1" apart (you'd have to be a complete nutcase, like me, to actually do that, but I enjoy it! and it means no thinning at all). Last years' harvests were really good, hence repeating the exercise this year, with knobs on...!

The only bit of advice given above that I'd hesitate agreeing with is growing a stump-rooted variety. Why grow such a short carrot in an 18" deep pot when you could get 'so much more carrot for your money' from a longer/bulkier variety?
I wish you lots of luck.

Good idea wellie! I've just found a pressed plastic window box on my new allotment site and was wondering what I could plant in it!
I've got some Early Nantes seeds left from last year and will plant it up with these!

[wellie]

Snadger,
If you have any problems germinating last years' Early Nantes seeds, let me know. I have those and other magazine freebies from this year, that I'm more than happy to donate. About 17 days from sowing to germination given ideal conditions, so you're welcome if needs be.

[ysb33r]

I think that the carrot root fly does'nt fly above 18inches if my memory serves me correctly.

Interesting... any reference where I can do more reading?
(Yes, I'll google as well)

[Jugula]

Thanks for the replies, folks.

I have a bag of perlite somewhere, so I'll just mix that with the compost and see how we go.
I thought I'd read something about carrot flies being unable to get above a certain height - that's why I thought the tubs might be useful to try some other varieties. It'll be easy to put some curtain net or similar over tubs too. The first year I tried to grow carrots my whole crop came up riddled with little maggots which is why I've used 'flyaway' since.
I fancy some different types to see if the flavour is better.

Would any of you be tempted to feed the tubs/carrots with anything later in the year once they've got going?

[Alice]

Hello Jugula, no, don't feed carrots, they just fork. In 18" tubs you can grow any variety you like. I grew Early Nantes and they did very well. If you take time to sow your seed 1" apart each way you will have no need to thin and won't attract carrot fly. Anyway, the height of your tubs, you should escape their attention. I've never had a problem with carrots in tubs. Good luck.