Carrots are one of those things that you have to try growing at least once, mostly because the taste difference between a home grown carrot and one from the supermarket is phenomenal! Plus, they are one of the most exciting things to harvest as you never quite know if you will get a long, unblemished carrot, a twisted one that has hit a rock, or something that looks like an alien but tastes good nonetheless.
When to sow: Spring, Summer, Autumn
How to sow: Direct
Germination: 3 weeks
Planting tips: Carrots should be grown in loose, deep soil. The seeds are small and can be difficult to germinate, so it is best to plant more seeds than needed and then thin them out as the season progresses. Plant them about 5mm deep and cover with a fine layer of soil, then put a thin layer of pea straw on top to retain moisture levels while they germinate (and make sure you keep them watered!). Another tip is to cover them with a plank of wood or old carpet until they appear. Be aware that carrot seedlings look like grass as they emerge, so be sure not to mistake them for weeds and pull them out! As the carrots grow, you will need to thin them out to a spacing of around 4-5cm, depending on how big you want them to get. If left to go to seed, a single carrot will produce thousands of seeds that you can then let self-sow or plant by hand the next year. You may never have to buy seeds again!
Companion plants: Tomatoes, leeks, radishes, lettuce, marigolds, parsley, nasturtiums
Not compatible with: Coriander, dill, parsnips
When to sow: Spring, Summer, Autumn
How to sow: Direct
Germination: 3 weeks
Planting tips: Carrots should be grown in loose, deep soil. The seeds are small and can be difficult to germinate, so it is best to plant more seeds than needed and then thin them out as the season progresses. Plant them about 5mm deep and cover with a fine layer of soil, then put a thin layer of pea straw on top to retain moisture levels while they germinate (and make sure you keep them watered!). Another tip is to cover them with a plank of wood or old carpet until they appear. Be aware that carrot seedlings look like grass as they emerge, so be sure not to mistake them for weeds and pull them out! As the carrots grow, you will need to thin them out to a spacing of around 4-5cm, depending on how big you want them to get. If left to go to seed, a single carrot will produce thousands of seeds that you can then let self-sow or plant by hand the next year. You may never have to buy seeds again!
Companion plants: Tomatoes, leeks, radishes, lettuce, marigolds, parsley, nasturtiums
Not compatible with: Coriander, dill, parsnips