A nice easy vegetable to start with.Carrots are easy going and not at all fussy as long as the soil is crumbly and light.Carrots tend to be pest free and need little attention, but as we have found out sometimes they can be eaten before they pop that first shoot out. That would be our buddy the carrot root fly that can smell the fresh carrot when you pull some to thin them. So the less thinning the less carrot fly. A row of chives along side can sometimes stop them.Carrots are rich in vitamin A, antioxidants, carotene and dietary which is very good for you.
What to do:
Dig a hole less than an inch deep and plant a couple of seeds in each, and leave several inches in between holes.This will help avoid loads of thinning out. Thin out in stages to 4-6in (10-15cm) apart as they grow if you have to as this will give larger carrots in the long run..You can eat these after giving them a wee scrub under running water.Sweet!
Keep the soil moist but remember to water the carrots less as they begin to reach maturity as you want the carrot to go hunting for water. Dont worry ,you wont find it running around your garden with a bow and arrow after Broccolli Spears!
After about six weeks check your patch to see if any carrots are ready for lifting. Pull gently near the soil and if its a big one maybe get someone to dig it up.Now enjoy!
