Carrots

Growing Guide

Early maturing varieties: sow under cloches in March or October, or unprotected outdoors from April to August.

Maincrop varieties: Sow outdoors from April to June.



Direct sow carrot seed outdoors, in a weed free, sunny position in fertile, light, well drained soil. Carrots dislike freshly manured soils so seed beds are best prepared in autumn, with the soil finely sieved, well in advance of spring sowings. Sow carrot seeds thinly at a depth of 1cm in drills 30cm apart. Germination will take 10 to 20 days. When large enough to handle, thin out the seedlings within each row to 5cm apart. Where space is limited, growing carrots in containers of soil, not compost, will also produce a good crop.

TOP TIPS

Carrot fly is a well known problem. Prevention is the best cure; sow seed thinly and avoid crushing the foliage as you thin out seedlings or hand weed. Barriers 60cm high will exclude the low-flying female flies who lay the larvae.



Forcing varieties: Some varieties are suitable for forcing to produce an early crop. These can be sown under glass from November to February.