Mix for container carrots? - Page 2

greenthumbomaha · December 16, 2016

There must be some substance to that combination as that is the title of a wonderful book on companion planting. It takes some experimenting but I think you have a good plan.

I think I started them in a cup and transplanted, and direct seeded as well. Its hard to keep those little seeds hydrated. If you can find the post, Durgan has a good photo here of how he starts seeds under a board.

- Lisa

ddsack · December 16, 2016

For the last two years, I've been cutting back on tomatoes. So I've put carrots in the front half of a 8'x4' raised bed that was filled with the extremely sandy native surrounding soil of a low hill. I dug in some 10-10-10 fertilizer (just because that's what I had on hand) before seeding and sprinkled a little on top as well. I watered often during the season because the sand dries so fast and good carrots need consistent moisture. I am better at thinning than I used to be, and it does make a big difference. I was very pleased with the results.

I used to grow carrots in my front garden which is mostly clay, they did OK there too and less need to water. But I do think they were able to get bigger and longer in the sandy soil.

Nematode · December 16, 2016

Summer carrots are ok, but the ones that taste like candy need to be sown midsummer and harvested when it's cold. Here in z6 aug1 is my target seed date.
Although my huge yield this year was from overcrowded spring sown carrots that were left in. Because they were crowded they didn't grow too fast and only a few got huge.
Hope that made sense..

greenthumbomaha · December 16, 2016

Dee, that is an impressive size for a cold climate. When did you sow and also when did you pull your carrots. I have sandy soil too. I thought my error was a lack of fertilization. I would love to have a single application of fertilizer be sufficient for the entire growth period. I can't slack on watering but I'm not a warrior when it comes to fertilizing when its 100 degrees.

Nematode, you must be very diligent in keeping your seed hydrated in August. Any tips to that end?

- Lisa

ddsack · December 17, 2016

Lisa, I generally plant in late May or even early June, only because I have to wait and see what space is leftover after my tomatoes go in. I don't see how I can get more than one larger rooted crop in my growing season. I like my carrots on the big side, because I'm not patient when it comes to scrubbing a lot of little carrots for a meal.

I leave them in the ground until just before the ground freezes. They are of good eating size by September, may have a small meal or two earlier. I may have given them another shot of top dressing fertilizer granules once later in the summer when I was doing the tomatoes, I don't remember for sure. The sandy raised beds are almost impossible to over water, they drain so fast. My main task is just keeping the carrot bed from drying out, especially the first half of the season when they are still small. During the heat of the summer, I hand water my carrot and lettuce patches almost every day, unless it rains. I found a mister head for my watering wand that doesn't knock over the frail seedlings.

Nematode · December 17, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenthumbomaha

Dee, that is an impressive size for a cold climate. When did you sow and also when did you pull your carrots. I have sandy soil too. I thought my error was a lack of fertilization. I would love to have a single application of fertilizer be sufficient for the entire growth period. I can't slack on watering but I'm not a warrior when it comes to fertilizing when its 100 degrees.

Nematode, you must be very diligent in keeping your seed hydrated in August. Any tips to that end?

- Lisa

Lawn irrigation hits the carrot bed. That doesnt hurt.
A board placed on top of the seed will keep them damp until they germinate.

BajaMitch · December 17, 2016

What is "dtm"?

Rajun Gardener · December 17, 2016

Days to Maturity

BigVanVader · December 17, 2016

I have subterranean drip system for all my beds so watering isn't an issue. Does anyone know where I could get seeds for Sweet Candle carrots?http://www.thompson-morgan.com/veget...ndle-f1/4783TM
I can only find UK sources.

Rajun Gardener · December 17, 2016

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Vege...559810084.html

BigVanVader · December 17, 2016

Hmm never used that site, Will look into it. Weird how all the best potato and carrot varieties aren't sold in US.

Rajun Gardener · December 17, 2016

I just ordered those carrots from them along with a few other things. Dirt cheap, maybe it's a scam. I'll see soon enough.

Gerardo · December 17, 2016

I've been dialing in my carrots, and if you thoroughly screen the mix it really helps. I usually grow them in recycled tomato potting mix that's been screened again, put in a general fertilizer, a little alfalfa meal to recharge things, about 10-20% sand by volume and off they go.

Rootpots (45 gal, sometimes the 100 gal) in a kiddie pool. Drip irrigation, they seem to really like fish emulsion, and whenever I'm foliar fertilizing they get a dose too.

Make my own seed tape with thin Scott toilet paper and flour, it helps to get the proper growth. Sometimes when I only have a few seeds I put 'em in directly, mixing the seeds with sand helps to make thinning less of a pain, a good pair of ergonomic tweezers helps too.

Yaya, Kuroda, Mokum, Tonda di Parigi come to mind as ones I've enjoyed. The multicolored purples whites etc are so-so in terms of flavor, visually people go crazy over them, so give 'em a slot for your market fare.

BigVanVader · December 17, 2016

Thanks Gerardo, the one I'm looking for are supposedly the sweetest carrot in the world plus they are very attractive for market. I will look into the ones you listed for sure.

greenthumbomaha · December 17, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

I have subterranean drip system for all my beds so watering isn't an issue. Does anyone know where I could get seeds for Sweet Candle carrots?http://www.thompson-morgan.com/veget...ndle-f1/4783TM
I can only find UK sources.

Thompson Morgan had a seed rack in Earl May, a local midwest based nursery and a US website. They had unusual varieties for sure. Their website now directs you to Gurneys when you click the flag icon. Could this be Sugarsnax renamed?

- Lisa

December 16, 2016	#17
ddsack Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3 Posts: 3,231	For the last two years, I've been cutting back on tomatoes. So I've put carrots in the front half of a 8'x4' raised bed that was filled with the extremely sandy native surrounding soil of a low hill. I dug in some 10-10-10 fertilizer (just because that's what I had on hand) before seeding and sprinkled a little on top as well. I watered often during the season because the sand dries so fast and good carrots need consistent moisture. I am better at thinning than I used to be, and it does make a big difference. I was very pleased with the results. I used to grow carrots in my front garden which is mostly clay, they did OK there too and less need to water. But I do think they were able to get bigger and longer in the sandy soil. __________________ Dee **************

December 17, 2016	#20
ddsack Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3 Posts: 3,231	Lisa, I generally plant in late May or even early June, only because I have to wait and see what space is leftover after my tomatoes go in. I don't see how I can get more than one larger rooted crop in my growing season. I like my carrots on the big side, because I'm not patient when it comes to scrubbing a lot of little carrots for a meal. I leave them in the ground until just before the ground freezes. They are of good eating size by September, may have a small meal or two earlier. I may have given them another shot of top dressing fertilizer granules once later in the summer when I was doing the tomatoes, I don't remember for sure. The sandy raised beds are almost impossible to over water, they drain so fast. My main task is just keeping the carrot bed from drying out, especially the first half of the season when they are still small. During the heat of the summer, I hand water my carrot and lettuce patches almost every day, unless it rains. I found a mister head for my watering wand that doesn't knock over the frail seedlings. __________________ Dee ************** Last edited by ddsack; December 17, 2016 at 02:06 AM.

December 17, 2016	#28
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,598	I've been dialing in my carrots, and if you thoroughly screen the mix it really helps. I usually grow them in recycled tomato potting mix that's been screened again, put in a general fertilizer, a little alfalfa meal to recharge things, about 10-20% sand by volume and off they go. Rootpots (45 gal, sometimes the 100 gal) in a kiddie pool. Drip irrigation, they seem to really like fish emulsion, and whenever I'm foliar fertilizing they get a dose too. Make my own seed tape with thin Scott toilet paper and flour, it helps to get the proper growth. Sometimes when I only have a few seeds I put 'em in directly, mixing the seeds with sand helps to make thinning less of a pain, a good pair of ergonomic tweezers helps too. Yaya, Kuroda, Mokum, Tonda di Parigi come to mind as ones I've enjoyed. The multicolored purples whites etc are so-so in terms of flavor, visually people go crazy over them, so give 'em a slot for your market fare. Last edited by Gerardo; December 17, 2016 at 04:15 PM.

December 17, 2016	#29
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Thanks Gerardo, the one I'm looking for are supposedly the sweetest carrot in the world plus they are very attractive for market. I will look into the ones you listed for sure. Last edited by BigVanVader; December 17, 2016 at 04:04 PM.

December 16, 2016	#16
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	There must be some substance to that combination as that is the title of a wonderful book on companion planting. It takes some experimenting but I think you have a good plan. I think I started them in a cup and transplanted, and direct seeded as well. Its hard to keep those little seeds hydrated. If you can find the post, Durgan has a good photo here of how he starts seeds under a board. - Lisa

December 16, 2016	#18
Nematode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: massachusetts Posts: 1,710	Summer carrots are ok, but the ones that taste like candy need to be sown midsummer and harvested when it's cold. Here in z6 aug1 is my target seed date. Although my huge yield this year was from overcrowded spring sown carrots that were left in. Because they were crowded they didn't grow too fast and only a few got huge. Hope that made sense..

December 17, 2016	#22
BajaMitch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: California Posts: 84	What is "dtm"?

December 17, 2016	#23
Rajun Gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tomato Cornhole Posts: 2,550	Days to Maturity