Bludy Carrots!!
 

Hiya,

I have planted some carrot seeds last week as I thought that they would be ok to grow now and eat over winter. I must have planted around 30seeds in seperate pots to get them going and then I could transfer them to the ground when they have sprouted.

Out of around 30 seeds 2 have come up??!!

Any tips on what I should/should not be doing?
My Dad struggles to grow carrots aswell.

Planted the same amount of Parsnips and they are coming along a treat with my Brussel Sprouts!

Thanks

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

You've planted them at the wrong time of the year.
Seeds know when its the right time to germinate,
carrots can be finicky, and should not be subjected to replanting, Brussels take a long time to mature, and the parsnips have been planted at the wrong time, it will not be long before we have night frosts.
I think then most of your efforts will suffer.
Next year get carrot fly resistant seeds, and follow the instructions on the packet.
Lost all my carrots this year to cats, had them covered by a fleece, but I forgot to switch the electric fence on, and the dammed cats crawled under the fleece crapped on them, and scrat all the seedlings up.
Retlaw.

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

Thanks Retlaw.
I have heard people growing them this time of year and had a good crop thats why I planted some now.
TBH I just wanted something to grow and look after later in the year.
I have also planted some spuds.

Mmmmmmm its my first year at proper gardening so all a learning curve for me this year!

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

Spuds can take up to 26 weeks to reach maturity.
Now is the time of year for digging them up, you can get seed potato's that will grow to golf ball size new potato's in time for xmas, when I dig mine up next week, if I don't get them all, spuds will come up where I don't want them next year.
By the way spuds don't like lime, it makes them look scabby, get a test meter to check your soil levels.
You can grow spuds in bags or large buckets.
Retlaw.

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

Thank You Retlaw.

All a learning curve this, I am enjoying it though very much.
I dug up some potatoes a few weeks back and was very happy with myself!

Very satisfying growing your own stuff.

Re: Bloody Carrots!!
 

When I was young I was very interested in Gardening and in fact had a plot in the Church Gardens, carrots was the one thing which was very hard to cultivate don't no why, but never had much success in that department

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

Try Weeds, no special requirements needed :D ;)

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

I was an expert in their cultivation Dave:D

Re: Bloody Carrots!!
 

Shame you dont still have that plot, they are expensive now :D

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

I had a big bag of poppy seeds given and planted them, after two months not one has grown. I was told I had planted the seeds upside down. Do our gardening experts agree?

The lady I employ to do the gardening says I have to be patient and they will eventually show up.

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

My dad grew carrots ..he reckoned carrots grow best in loose soil..he would even mix some sand in with the soil.

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

Upside down? I think you should be able to feel that tugging on your leg. Even if it mattered(which it doesn't) what are the chances of planting ALL the seeds in a big bag upside down?
It's the wrong time of the year for most seeds to germinate and probably by Spring they'll have rotted away so start again next year. If you have any seeds left keep them in a paper bag in a drawer(dark and dry).

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

I had marked each seed "top" and "bottom" so I wouldn't get them the wrong way round but I must have been confused and planted them sideways.


At least my apple trees have born fruit but they arrived already six feet tall and the gardener (a Miss K Brownlow) who planted them put the roots in the ground and the bit with the branches and leaves on upwards. You can't do that with poppy seeds.

Next time I will leave it all to the expert.

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

Ah, well, if you planted them sideways that COULD be the problem.
(Thinks,'Must work on my sense of humour.')

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

Some one is pulling your wotsit, if you did have poppy seeds, you would have seen they are very small and round.
Retlaw

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

At least I'm not the only one! Retlaw, we've been had by a good one.

Re: Bloody Carrots!!
 

Carrots need a very light sandy soil, they struggle in claggy soil.
Retlaw

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

I have two books about edible wild plants.
After a summer saunter down the allotment track near my home I identified four which were edible.

You never know when info like that will be useful ;)

Re: Bloody Carrots!!
 

Ya was actually thinking that when I posted, I lots of ways it was a same they couldn't keep the church grounds as it was, but after Fr Smith died (he did have green fingers) in the early 60s his predecessor wasn't interested in it at all and of course by allowing St Vincent De Paul build the houses meant that they were no longer an eyesore, but it was still a shame

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

And cost effective too Margaret:D

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

Thanks for the replies, I have looked at my two remaining ones today and they have doubled in size so will just leave them and see what happens. :D

My weeds are doing very well with all this rain! ;)

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

hiya heth
Think bit early yet for your carrots to have germinated. Plants is fickle things and germination can be eratic. As father says (retlaw) carrots dont transplant. They dont like disturbance. There are some autumn varieties though - did some in poly tunnel other week. If any consolation our carrots were crap this year - sown way too close & not sure if got root fly & we're in raised beds. Cud do some spuds or winter cabbage ? Every day's a learning day with growing. It's been a difficult year for stuff for even the most experienced ! Hope it hasnt put you off & good luck for next years growing season. I'm plugging bash show now, but if you can get along do - lots of brains to pick and hopefully inspiration

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

I planted carrots in a small area , most have made unusual shapes , they are just in soil with no fertilizer added .

Why can't i grow a carrot that is straight ?

Ps the soil does not have any stones in it .

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

You need a light sandy soil for long straight carrots.
The sandier the better.
Retlaw.

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

Cheers Dusty,

I cant make the show this year but I usual go as my Dad puts things into the show.

Re: Bludy Carrots!!
 

no prob. You're dad came over talking (didnt know he was you're dad til retlaw told me). Havent seen him for ages, was good to see him.
Hope we'll see you next year - get some carrots shown