Carrots are one of the types of vegetables that grow in a very rewarding and uncomplicated way, even with gardening beginners. If you pay attention to a few basic things when sowing carrots, nothing stands in the way of a rich carrot harvest later.
Choosing the right seed
As with all plants, many factors for later growth are already determined in the case of carrots with the seed. Choose seeds that are as fresh as possible for a good germination rate and sow them in loose rows about 20 cm apart. You can also use pelleted seed to make it easier to space plants correctly and save on thinning later.
Early and Late Varieties
There are many different types of carrots, each with their own special features. Early varieties with a ripening period from May are particularly suitable for fresh consumption immediately after the harvest. Late varieties, on the other hand, have better properties for storage after the carrot season.
Important for sowing carrots
All carrots of different varieties and colors have in common that pre-cultivation and subsequent pricking out of the seedlings is not really worthwhile. So you save a lot of work if you sow directly outdoors or in a cold frame. Mark the rows of carrots for better visibility by sowing some radishes at the same time
Harvest radishes and carrots from a row
It's an old trick to sow radishes with carrots. Since carrot seeds need about 14 days to germinate, the rows versus burgeoning weeds with the radish seedlings will be visible much quicker. When the radishes are harvested after about four weeks, the space between the carrot plants is free for their main roots to grow.
Staggered seeding for a long harvest season
Carrots can sometimes be harvested as early as May if sown in March, although these carrots, like bunched carrots, still have a rather thin main root. If sowed at monthly intervals, summer carrots can be harvested continuously between May and November and eaten fresh. Winter carrots for storage should be sown in June at the latest in order to reach a storable size before the first frost.
tips and tricks
Feel free to be tough when thinning out excess plants from among the rows of growing carrots. This will ensure adequate space for each carrot root and avoid stunted growth and a disappointing harvest. Summer carrots should be 5 cm apart, while winter carrots need up to 10 cm apart.