Anyone living off the land?

[Baymule]

Has anybody raised carrots? On an impulse I purchased a 6-pack of baby carrot plants at the local farm patch. I probably should have just tried seeds, but I figured if these are productive I'll plant seeds the next time around. Anyhow I would be interested in hearing from others regarding home grown carrots.

Teri, I have finally figured out how to grow carrots in Texas. If the soil is over 80 degrees, they won't germinate. It can take up to 3 weeks for those tiny seeds to germinate and if they dry out, they die. With our sunshine and ferocious heat, carrots are doomed.

Last fall, I planted a whole packet of seeds and I got less than 10 carrots. I was delirious with joy. I actually grew a carrot! This spring, I went through 3 packets of seeds and got nothing. Nada. I waited until October and planted 2 packets of seeds and have lots of little feathery green sprouts.

I have to tell you, those few carrots we ate last winter/spring were the best tasting carrots I have ever had. So to sum it up, plant in the fall, spray the seed bed every day to keep it moist.

 

[Teri Metcalf]

Teri, I have finally figured out how to grow carrots in Texas. If the soil is over 80 degrees, they won't germinate. It can take up to 3 weeks for those tiny seeds to germinate and if they dry out, they die. With our sunshine and ferocious heat, carrots are doomed.

Last fall, I planted a whole packet of seeds and I got less than 10 carrots. I was delirious with joy. I actually grew a carrot! This spring, I went through 3 packets of seeds and got nothing. Nada. I waited until October and planted 2 packets of seeds and have lots of little feathery green sprouts.

I have to tell you, those few carrots we ate last winter/spring were the best tasting carrots I have ever had. So to sum it up, plant in the fall, spray the seed bed every day to keep it moist.

Thank you! I love carrots, and I will especially love eating my own lovingly-grown carrots, even if they are very few this time around.

 

[Teri Metcalf]

Back to the old avatar.

 

[Baymule]

Here is the link to my last year's carrot success.

http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=35062&p=1

 

[Teri Metcalf]

Here is the link to my last year's carrot success.

http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=35062&p=1

Your carrot is gorgeous! I'm envious.

 

[Baymule]

The carrot salad was awesome too!

 

[newbie32]

Carrot salad?

I am not seeing anything coming up from the soil. How long does it take for the seeds to grow? I feel like I am doing something wrong!

 

[Teri Metcalf]

Carrot salad?

I am not seeing anything coming up from the soil. How long does it take for the seeds to grow? I feel like I am doing something wrong!

Don't give up on them. It may take awhile now that the ground is cooler. Also, it depends on how deep you planted them. That reminds me of the old children's picture, "The Carrot Seed."

 

[newbie32]

Don't give up on them. It may take awhile now that the ground is cooler. Also, it depends on how deep you planted them. That reminds me of the old children's picture, "The Carrot Seed."

I planted them as deep as the paper said. Some about an inch, some 1/2 an inch ect.

 

[galanie]

I just barely cover carrot seed then sprinkle a light layer of compost or dried grass over that. Then mist daily till they come up. I used to live where the soil was heavy so I am just in the habit of not planting as deep as the package says.