We have yet to have an edible carrot from the plot, after 7 years of trying. This year I am trying a new approach, and I will keep this page updated with progress.
Preparing the soil
Our soil has a high clay content, and gets really tough, this has always caused the carrots to be stunted. This years solution; Over a 3 square meter area I spread 4 bags of sharp sand and two barrows full of our homemade compost. This was thoroughly mixed into the soil with a tiller (like a rotovator but smaller). Theory: The sand particles will stick to the clay particles and give a less dense soil, the compost has fibre from the plant matter which should help retain moisture and encourage worms.
Planting
In the prepared soil I cut 4 rows about an inch deep with the side of a hoe. I mixed my carrot seed with some sharp sand and sprinkled this in the trench. Mixing with the sharp sand was so that the seed was pre-thinned as it was sown. The trenches were then covered with the soil I had scooped out with the hoe. Finally a good watering completed the planting.
As a back up plan, I have planted some in the top of 24" long drain pipes sat upright amongst the leaks and filled with sand.
Pests
The main reason we have had no success with carrots is "carrot fly". I have a theory that carrot fly are mostly nose and teeth. If they can smell carrot they zoom in from miles away. This years solution; I have planted some leeks in and amongst the carrots, and also some marigolds, as these were the smelliest flowers I could find.
I am trying very hard not to brush against the leaves of the carrot as I weed, so I dont release any scent from them, and because I sowed them pre-thinned, I hope not to have to pull any out early. Fingers crossed for this year.
Growing
I have not always been great at finding time to water, and the carrots have not been pleased with this, withering and looking generally quite sad. This years solution; I pledge to water as regularly as possible! + I have some of the homemade compost in the soil to help retain moisture if I can't get there.
The carrots are growing in one of the beds which gets full sun.
Previously, the "Best" we have had ( from a very, very poor sample) was a multirooted carrot that was growing in a bucket of compost. I think this had too many nutrients. This years solution; I am not adding any fertilizer to the carrot bed, and last year this spot had cabbages in it, which I hope has used up some of the nutrients. I am hoping to make the carrots work hard to feed themselves, by growing longer roots.
Planted - Early May 2014
Germination - 3 weeks later
Pests - End May - None
Mid June - None
End June - None
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