By Josie Borlongan, Garden Guides Contributor
About Carrots
Carrots are biennials grown as annuals. Carrots are usually orange,
white or red-white blend in color with a crisp texture when fresh.
A carrot is a root vegetable with the taproot as the edible part
that may be up to 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter at the neck and up to
12 inches (30 cm) in length.
Carrots are a cool-season crop that can tolerate cool, even
temperatures of 61 degrees F (16 degrees C).
Site Preparation
Carrots are grown in an open site on light and fertile soil. Ensure
the soil used for deep-rooted types are free of stones. Mix soil
with organic matter, especially during the fall season before
sowing. Soils that are loose and fertile are preferred for
established raised beds. Before sowing, rake the soil into fine
tilth. Carrots should be rotated with other tuberous crops
throughout the years. They need very low nitrogen levels suing
fertilizer with 21 percent N content
1/2 oz. per square
yard (12g per square meter).
Special Features
Carrots are normally long and tapered but may be rounded. They have
feathery green foliage that can grown up to about 24 inches (60
cm), with a 12 inch (30 cm) spread. There are many types of
carrots: the early ones are usually small and slender and used
young; the main crop types are larger and are used fresh or stored.
Carrots can be eaten either cooked or raw.
Choosing a Variety
The recommended carrot varieties are:
Early; Amsterdam, Earlibird Nantes, Little Finger (baby),
Thumbelina, Mokum, Nantes Half Long, Nelson, Parmex, Sweetness,
Thumbelina and Touchon.
Maincrop; Boler, Imperator, Danver's half Long, Eagle, Red Cored
Chantenay, Royal Chantena and Vita-Treat.
Planting
Early types of carrots should be sown in their natural environment
in spring as soon as the soil is workable and has warmed up to 45
degrees F (7 degrees C). Early types may also be sown under covers,
in frames or under floating row covers that should be removed after
a few weeks. A second sowing of early types of carrots may be done
during late summer and protected with covers. Main crop types can
be sown from late spring to early summer.
Carrot seeds can be sparingly sown about
1/2 to
¾ inch (1 to 2 cm) deep, either broadcast or in row 6
inches (15 cm) apart. Early carrots should be thinned to 3 inches
(7cm) apart; main crop carrots should be thinned to 1
1/2 inches (4 cm). Carrots can be transplanted well if
sown in cell packs first. Deep-rooted cultivars must be sown
singly.
Care
Weeds should be removed regularly once the carrots have germinated.
Watering carrots regularly at the rate of 3 to 5 gallons per square
yard 916 to 23 liters per square meter) is needed every two to
three weeks.
Watch out for pests and diseases. Carrot rust flies can be a
serious problem for carrots. Protect against carrot rust fly by
surrounding the patch of young carrots with a protective barrier 2
to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) high. Use either fine mesh netting or stiff
clear plastic as barriers.
Root and leaf aphids, carrot motley dwarf virus and boron
deficiency may also be troublesome.
Harvesting and Storage
Early carrot cultivars can be harvested about seven to nine weeks
after sowing and main crop cultivars after ten to eleven weeks by
pulling them by hand or by forking them out. Carrots may be left on
well-drained soils in areas with light winters. Lift them before
heavy frost by cutting or twisting off the foliage, then storing
them in boxes by placing the roots on a layer of sand, keeping them
in a cool, dry place for several months.
Sweet
Red Pepper, Baby Carrots and Baby Zucchini
