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Carrots

1/29/2012

 
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Carrots
Carrots are a biennial that are grown as annuals. They come in colors such as white, yellow, orange, red, purple and some are even multi-colored. Carrots can grow in any climate, so make sure you buy seeds for the variety of carrot that grows in your area. Carrots like a light evenly moist soil, if you have to amend your soil make sure you have at least 12 inches of good soil for long carrots like "St. Valery", ""Belgium White", "Danvers" or "Dragon". If you just have a few inches of nice light soil make sure you only plant shorter varieties of carrots such as, "Paris Market", "Thumbelina", "Little Finger" or "'Nantes Half Long". There are so many interesting carrot varieties to choose from when growing your own.

Growing Carrots
Carrots are a cool growing crop, can be planted both in the spring and in the fall. For spring planting, plant 2 to 4 weeks before the last expected frost. For fall planting, plant 13 weeks before first frost. Carrots should be sown 1/4 inch deep, in rows about 2 inches apart. The rows should be 12 inches apart. Make sure the soil is free of rocks or clumps of dirt. These will stunt the carrots growth. Heavy soil will make your carrots mis-shapen.Carrots like sun and even moisture (about 1-inch water per week), so don't let the soil dry out. For continuous carrot production, plant one row of seeds, then plant the successive rows when the previous row is up and growing. This will give you carrots continuously throughout the growing season.

Harvesting Carrots
Carrots taste best when they are picked small. They should be firm, tender and about 1-inch to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Fall carrots actually taste better than spring carrots and if you live in a cool winter climate you can actually store the carrots in the ground, digging them up as you need them.

Pests and Diseases
  • Leafhoppers are present when leaves, stems and buds are pierced. They suck the sap and chlorophyll out of the plant. Leafhoppers are 1/4-1/3 inch long and are green, wedged shape insects. Apply insecticidal soap to control of serious infestations.
  • Weevils are present if the leaves are are chewed to the stem. They are 1/2 inch long, gray to brownish in color with a long snout. They feed at night.
  • Leaf Blight causes white spots on seedling leaves, they become brown and look like they are water-soaked. The roots may also have lesions, dark spots or craters. This cannot be cured. To help prevent leaf blight thin seedlings and keep garden soil well cultivated.
Cooking with Carrots
Of course we all love eating carrots raw but here are some recipes to use your garden fresh carrots in.
  • http://www.fresheasymeals.com/carrot-soup.html
  • http://www.fresheasymeals.com/carrot-salad.html
  • http://www.fresheasymeals.com/carrot-muffins.html
  • http://www.fresheasymeals.com/coconut-ginger-rice.html
  • http://www.fresheasymeals.com/wild-rice-with-dried-cranberries.html
  • http://www.fresheasymeals.com/roasted-vegetable-couscous.html
  • http://www.fresheasymeals.com/hearty-beef-stew.html
  • http://www.fresheasymeals.com/vegetable-lasagna.html

Nutrients in Carrots
  • Vitamins A, B6, C and K
  • Folate
  • Thiamin
  • Niacin
  • Manganese
  • Potassium
  • Fiber
Mary Easley
5/10/2012 04:19:22 am

I love your website, Becky, especially the drop-down menus under the main categories. I have lots of loose-leaf lettuce growing now, but haven't been successful with the crisp leaf varieties - maybe Sacramento heat is too much for it. We're also growing our favorite tomato (Juliet) and trying the Whopper tomato for the 1st time.
I bought some of the golden beets at our local farmer's market, and would love to try growing those as well. Can they be started from a part of the mature beet plant itself, or do I need to start from seed?

Becky
5/10/2012 10:11:57 am

Mary thank you for your kind words about my website. Try planting lettuce in the fall and winter months of November through March.

There is nothing quite like garden fresh tomatoes and so many wonderful ways to eat them.

I have only grown beets from seeds. They are very easy to grow. You can order golden, as well as, Bassano (or Candy Stripe), and many other varieties. I like planting heirloom seeds because they have been around for so long and you can't easily find them in the market.


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    Becky

    I am combining my Backyard Edible blog to my Fresh Easy Meal website to give you all the information  you need about cooking and growing your own fruit and vegetables on one site. Happy gardening!

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