<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n9. Selecting Your Carrot Seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n When you think of planting carrots, it may surprise you to learn that there are various species of this root vegetable. It’s the wide variety available in carrots makes them an ideal veggie to mix with any meal \u2013 and did we mention that the beta-carotene in carrots is excellent for maintaining the health and functionality of your eyes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try out some of these carrot species, and decide on your favorite. All of the varieties mentioned below are suitable for growing in your garden at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amsterdam carrots \u2013 This variety is thin and short, growing to a length of 3-inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Danvers half-long \u2013 This carrot grows to a length of 7-inches, with a thin profile and robust flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Imperator \u2013 This carrot has a thin profile and grows to depths of 10-inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The little finger \u2013 best known for its use in gourmet cooking, these carrots are small and sweet, reaching a depth of three to five inches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paris market carrots \u2013 Very short in length, but broad in diameter, reaching a girth of 1.5-inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n10. Check Your Climate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The early spring is the best time to plant your carrot seeds. It would help if you waited for the last frosts to finish and then wait for a further two to three weeks to ensure there are no lagging cold fronts that could kill your seeds as they are germinating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with all root vegetables, carrots do well in cold climates with temperatures ranging between 60 to 70F. If you plant carrots in a warm environment, the chances are that they will only grow to half of their potential size, and they may not be as sweet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, growing carrots in too cold of a climate is also a bad idea, stunting their growth, causing them to become long and thin while turning them white in color. Fortunately, carrots are hardy and resilient, and they grow well in most conditions. Plant your carrots in early springtime, and you’ll harvest by the late fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n11. Planting Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n When its time to start planting carrots, it’s best to till the soil beforehand. Tilling your soil helps to activate the minerals and bacteria in the earth, as well as provide much-needed air to the roots of the carrot while growing. Tilling your soil allows you to introduce beneficial bacteria and nutrients to the earth before you start the planting process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, we recommend you till and treat the soil, then leave it to rest for 4-weeks before planting. This strategy ensures that the nutrients and bacteria spread evenly, providing your carrots with the nutrition they need for a high yield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plant your seeds a half-inch deep in the tilled soil, and space them 1-inch apart, and keep your rows 15-inches across from each other. If you have a small garden, and can’t plant veggies, then try using containers instead. Carrots grow readily in any pot, as long as they have sufficient nutrients, air, water, and light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n12. Pest Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, dealing with pests and disease on your vegetables is part and parcel of growing a veggie garden. After planting your carrots, check them every week for signs of disease and pests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most common garden critters and pests that are a threat to your carrot crop include; leaf-hoppers, flea beetles, carrot root flies, and rodents \u2013 a carrot is a tasty prize for a rat. We are against using any form of chemical pesticide on our crops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research on Monsanto’s “glyphosate,” shows that trace particles of the toxin remain in the vegetables. We consume the carrots, and the toxins enter our system. Consuming pesticides can lead to nerve damage and other nasty side-effects affecting the nervous system, brain, and body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of using toxic chemicals to control insect populations, try installing a floating row cover to protect your plants instead. You can also spray diluted raw tobacco juice over your plants to prevent insects from eating your veggies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n13. Fertilizer and pH<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The type of soil and its pH balance is vital if you want to grow the best carrots. When planting your seeds, the best earth is rich in nutrients, loamy, and moist. Carrots don’t do well in dry climates, and a lack of water may cause them to come out long and thin, with an off-white color, instead of the bright orange hue we see on the shelves of our greengrocer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ensure that you till the soil and loosen it to a minimum depth of at least a foot below the surface. Avoid planting in areas where there are plenty of rocks in the ground, as it will affect the growth of your carrots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before planting, test the pH of your soil. Carrots prefer a pH between 6 to 6.5, and they do not grow well in acidic environments below a pH of 6. It’s also vital that you don’t overload the soil with nitrogen, as this will stretch your carrots, making them turn out thin and long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n14. Storage After Harvest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Like most other root vegetables, carrots store well. If you have a root cellar, then you can expect your carrots to remain fresh and tasty for up to four months after harvest. Root cellars allow you to control the environment, setting a humidity of between 98 to 100-percent for the best storage conditions. Ensure that your root cellar is cool, and keep the temperature below 60F if possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before sending your carrots to storage in the root cellar, wash them and remove any additional dirt stuck on the surface of the carrot. After washing, make sure that you dry out the carrot entirely, or you run the risk of growing fungi or bacteria in your root cellar along with the vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After harvesting your carrots, bathe them in an ice-bath. The reduction in temperature helps to preserve the vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols found in the carrots, and the practice also enhances the shelf life of the veggies as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n