Daucus carota
HEIGHT x WIDTH: The leaves on top grow 20cm high and 15cm wide but the carrots will be between 10 and 20cm long when you harvest them.
DISTANCE APART: 15cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: Check one carrot in 5 or 6 weeks to see if it’s the size that you want. If it is, pick some more.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes. For four seedlings, choose a pot that is at least 30cm deep and 30cm wide. Fill it with premium potting mix and water it well. Plant each seedling and water them lightly so that they settle in.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes. The garden bed must get at least 6 hours of sun every day and the soil should be loose and free of rocks and stones. Don’t add compost or manure to the soil for carrots. Instead, sprinkle the soil with controlled release fertiliser especially for vegetables. Water the soil before and after planting the seedlings. Don’t forget a layer of mulch; pea straw or lucerne hay is perfect.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Carrots love to share the garden with parsley and dill. Plant chives or onions nearby to mask the smell of the carrots; this will confuse the carrot fly!
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Fertilise the seedlings every two weeks using a liquid fertiliser.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.