Another perfect carrot question?

[darcyvuqua]

Has anyone grown carrots in dust bins??

If so was it very successful?

Also the mix used?

I remember a thread with VC asking something similar and getting guidance from bearded bloke ?? I think but can't seem to find it!

Thanks guys.

[Bill HH]

This is one for this is potstubdusbins. Or Dan (allotment diary) on u tube is the carrot king, I know he has vids up about growing monster carrots and the mix he uses. I am happy if they are straight and not half eaten.

[Paulieb]

I usually sow carrots in my tubs in June/July after my first earlies (30/35l). This way I can move them into the GH in October and they will sit there till Jan/Feb but they're usually eaten before then.

The compost is a bit depleted from the spuds and I don't normally add anything. The compost is usually lump free too after I've sifted it through (just with my hands) in the wheelbarrow for escapee potatoes.

They're always straight and get to a good use able size, but not massive.

[Aberdeenplotter]

This is the mix I use for my exhibition carrots which are grown in barrels(long) and raised beds (stump). If you intend to use a dustbin do provide for drainage

2 buckets peat
1 bucket sand
3 ozs Superphosphate
3 ozs Sulphate of potash
2 ozs calcified seaweed
2 ozs epsom salts or kersarite
2 ozs lime

[darcyvuqua]

I usually sow carrots in my tubs in June/July after my first earlies (30/35l). This way I can move them into the GH in October and they will sit there till Jan/Feb but they're usually eaten before then.

The compost is a bit depleted from the spuds and I don't normally add anything. The compost is usually lump free too after I've sifted it through (just with my hands) in the wheelbarrow for escapee potatoes.

They're always straight and get to a good use able size, but not massive.

Arrrrgggghhh I think it was you that commented AP not BB can I also ask what variety of carrot do you use!!

[chilli_grower]

last year I grew carrots in 10 litre containers, in plain old compost.

They were nice and straight and around 5 inches long.

Ideal red variety....

[darcyvuqua]

last year I grew carrots in 10 litre containers, in plain old compost.

They were nice and straight and around 5 inches long.

Ideal red variety....

Were those flower buckets mate as that's my second option

[Aberdeenplotter]

Arrrrgggghhh I think it was you that commented AP not BB can I also ask what variety of carrot do you use!!

For exhibition, most growers are using a variety called Sweet Candle. Takes at least 22 weeks to develop the stump root needed. It is a lovely sweet carrot with no core as such. Tends to grow too big for my liking. I grow a variety called Namur. It is more of a wedge shape than Sweet Candle. Simply put, I prefer it.

[chilli_grower]

Yes Darcy, flower buckets and normal buckets from b and q, with holes drilled in the bottom.

Although this year I have a new raised bed, so will be growing 'ideal red' carrots in that, instead of containers.

I am a bit concerned about carrot fly though.

Last year I had none at all, but this year I am probably going to keep fleece directly on top of the carrot foliage for the entire season....

[Snadger]

Last year I grew carrots and threw then in the dustbin if that helps...........

I've grown carrots and parsnips sucessfully in 5" drainage pipes 5 foot long. Filled them with a very sandy loam mix and sowed three seeds in the top with a plastic pint glass on top until they germinated.Thinned to one per pipe.
Got some very funny looks off my allotment neighbours!

I've sown parsnips in a water butt with holes in the bottom and filled with a similar medium this year. Reminds me i must check whether they have germinated although parsnips seeds are supposed to go three times to the devil before germinating......so may take a while!

[darcyvuqua]

I grew atlas successfully last year but the Nantes never grew the ones that got to 2 inches were just crazy little squid looking things!

[rita1]

i grow mine in a old water butt cut in half. i mix sand and top soil together. i have had some lovely straight carrots every year. this year i have taken out the soil and put in fresh with more sand this time. the carrots are planted so we will see what happens.