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Carrots
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arrots are sweet and delectable and a welcome addition to any garden! Growing them is not difficult, but it helps to know your soil and the variety of carrot that is most suitable to it. Most carrots prefer a sandy loam soil, or a soil that is loose with good water-holding capacity. The preferred pH is 6.5 as with most vegetables, but carrots will do fine if it’s a little higher or lower. Heavy clay and soils that are compacted can create problems for root growth, so work the soil deeply and amend with plenty of compost. Carrots can split or have poor root development in tight soils or where stones or other obstructions are in the soil, so raised beds are something to consider if your soil is likely to be a problem. Carrots are best planted from seed since transplanting would likely damage the root. How far to space the carrots depends on the type you are growing so check seed packets or garden catalogs for information. Keep an eye on the carrots as they are growing and cover any exposed root tops with soil to prevent greening.
choice, carrots do come in a variety of colors. They always have. If you would like to grow something a little different, check the garden catalogs and seed packets at garden centers for carrots that can be white, yellow, red, or purple. Rainbow variety packets are available as well. Keep in mind that the greater the variety of colors, the wider the range of nutritional value. This year I’m trying a red-purple heirloom variety named ‘Dragon.’ The interior is yellow-orange with a light-yellow core. Based on the name, the grandchildren should love it! Next year I hope to try ‘Oxheart,’ an orange heirloom that is short and stubby, and somewhat heart shaped, making them fairly broad, and good to grow in heavy clay soils. They can weigh up to a pound and need some space between them to accommodate their size. They are noted to be good for storage purposes as well.
Growth cycle
Carrots are a cool season crop and may be planted once the soils warm to at least 45 degrees F. They can be Categories of carrots sown usually starting in April and There are five basic categories all the way into July. As a bienfor carrots: Imperator, Nantes, nial, they complete their life cycle Danvers, Chantenay, and Ball. The in two years, so they can be harcategories are based on the size and vested from midsummer through shape of the carrot. Imperator are early winter, depending on when the long, thin carrots commercially they were planted. If covered with grown that you find in the market. a thick layer of mulch to prevent Mary These grow up to 11 inches long and the ground from freezing around Gerstenberger thus are the type that need a good, them, carrots can be harvested well deep, and loose soil, free of stones. into the winter months. If left in Nantes and Danvers types are of medium the ground, they will go to seed the following length, about 8 inches at maturity, with Danyear, so if you plan to save seed, keep that in vers coming to a tapered point, while Nantes mind (they will also get tougher and not be are more cylindrical in shape. These types suitable for harvest once they go to seed). are often the choice for home gardens. They Carrots really are a great addition to any will do best in loose soils, but they can manhome garden. They are wonderful whether age in soils that are a little heavier. The MSU raw, cooked, roasted or grilled. You can find Extension tip sheet on “How to Grow Carcarrots suitable for raised beds or containers. rots” (www.canr.msu.edu/resources/how_ They are available in a range of colors. You to_grow_carrots) suggests ‘Nelson’ and ‘Bocan find varieties suited to being used fresh, lero’ as preferred choices in home gardens. canned, frozen or stored. What could be betChantenay are considered short carrots at ter than growing carrots! 6 to 7 inches long, and because of that shorter length, can do better in heavier or stony soils Mary Gerstenberger was the Consumer Horthan the longer carrots. They also do well in ticulture Coordinator at the Michigan State raised beds and container gardens. Ball carUniversity Extension in Macomb County, MI. rots are small and round or with a very short For vegetable and gardening information from taproot no more than 3 to 4 inches long. These MSU, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. are ideal for heavy soils or shallow containers. Call the toll-free Michigan State University Unusual varieties Lawn and Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 While orange carrots are still the popular for answers to your gardening questions.
