Pathetic carrots again

[Potstubsdustbins]

With most plants grown in containers you can say 'no drainage, no harvest.'

[Noosner]

I remember seeing on the Big Allotment Challenge that they grew some carrots in nothing but sand, and they were enormous! And it was the two guys who won the show, also

[ButternutSquash]

I grew carrots many years ago in compost in self watering containers. No issues. This year I sowed them in heavy clay soil improved with home made fertiliser. A few split but otherwise they have grown very well. I never much liked carrots, but I like these ones.

My soil has good drainage as I do not walk on it and I throw in compost in winter. Once seeds are planted, I water every few days especially when seedlings are young, so they can establish roots. Then they can be left alone, unless it is really dry like now. The soil tends to remain damp a few inches below the surface.

I don't know how you kill so many plants. I've seen loads of posts from you saying you've killed something. Is there someone who can mentor you, or who you can watch while they grow veg?

[teakdesk]

Is there someone who can mentor you, or who you can watch while they grow veg?

Lol, love the idea! Would we have to apply in triplicate for permission to water?


I'm another who has trouble with carrots but I know where my failings are (or I think so!)

- I get carrot root fly and can't raise my carrots up high enough or protect with nets etc. so I have little faith in getting a crop and don't put much care into them.

- I only sow carrots now if I get given seed.

- I only sow in containers and don't have containers tall enough for the tap root on long carrots. I can do round carrots in buckets.

- I use old compost mixed with sharp sand, anything else and the carrot is small and forked.

- sometimes I get carrots, sometimes I don't... but I always get foliage!


I was given seed a few weeks ago and did break all my rules and stuck a row into my allotment. I 'marked' the row with radish which are just cropping and carrot fronds are starting to appear so we'll see what happens. If I need the space I may dig them in or perhaps I'll have carrots!


BTW if I remember correctly, a carrot has a long tap root that goes down two or three feet looking for water. The 'hairs' on the carrot are feeding roots which seek nutrients. Show carrots are often grown in four feet tall containers with compost that has had a broom handle pushed all the way to the bottom. The hole made by the handle is filled with sharp sand. This way the tap root goes down the sand looking for water and the side roots go out into the compost for nutrients.

[ButternutSquash]

My carrots are growing above an old (disused) septic tank, so the soil is only 12" deep. It might be quite well manured though.