Hairy carrots

[Suky]

I have grown better carrots this year than I have ever managed before but some of them are really 'hairy'. Lots of tiny fibrous roots, they are not forked though and the bed wasn't manures or anything. They aren't a problem to prepare, just takes a little longer to nip them off but I wondered if anyone knew whar caused it. Several different varieties too.

[chris]

Wouldn't know for sure, but what about the hot spell? Perhaps an attempt at getting more water in to swell the roots? Were the tap roots long?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Wouldn't know for sure, but what about the hot spell? Perhaps an attempt at getting more water in to swell the roots? Were the tap roots long?

My thought as well

[Snadger]

I grow carrots for winter use and leave them in the ground using them as required. When it gets to about May though the roots start to get hairy as they start into regrowth for the current year.

Not relevant I know but its my only dealings with hairy roots.

[mrbadexample]

When you harvest them, you may find they're easier to lift if you give them a push down, before pulling them up. Apparently this breaks off the hairy roots, so it might save you some preparation time too.

[Alison]

I grow carrots for winter use and leave them in the ground using them as required. When it gets to about May though the roots start to get hairy as they start into regrowth for the current year.

Not relevant I know but its my only dealings with hairy roots.

That's my only dealings too

[Germinater]

My first attempt this year at carrots so I will let you know if I get Ross kemp or bob Marley carrots...

[Suky]

Good long tap roots, I'll try the push/pull method. These are 'thinings' as I am trying to grow some good sized ones to show at the autumn show. They may not last that long

[Two_Sheds]

According to the Carrot Museum, it's excess nitrogen that causes the hairyness

[Suky]

I just LOVE that there is a Carrot Museum Excess nitrogen is interesting as I have not fed them at all and only added some home made compost when I originally dug the bed last year. Still, they are not too hairy and not forked at all so I won't worry about it too much. Thanks for all your comments.

[Two_Sheds]

I have not fed them at all and only added some home made compost

home made compost does tend to be high in nitrogen - it's made mostly from leaves and foliage

[perkin]

I just LOVE that there is a Carrot Museum

If you like the Carrot Museum, then you'd love a little town in the centre of New Zealand's North Island - Ohakune. Known as the 'Carrot Capital of New Zealand' it has a fabulous monument to this at the edge of the town...