Carrots

Question 1

Explain site selection and soil for growing carrots.

Answer 1

• Prefer light, fertile, well-drained soil
• Do not like stony, compacted or damp soils
• Grow in a sunny, sheltered spot
• Low nitrogen requirement, dislike rich organic matter
• Grow in weed-free ground.

Question 2

Explain soil cultivation for growing carrots.

Answer 2

• Primary soil cultivation in autumn, digging the soil and incorporating low-fertility organic matter
• Secondary cultivation two weeks before sowing
• Weed before sowing to avoid competition
• Ensure pH is 6.5 - 7.5
• Raised beds are a good option
• Can be grown in deep containers.

Question 3

Explain sowing of carrots.

Answer 3

• Do not consolidate soil! Work to fine tilth
• Sow early carrots in March-April, sow maincrop in April to June
• Sow in a 13mm deep V-shaped drill
• 15cm between rows
• Thin to between 4cm - 7cm apart.

Question 4

Explain cultivation of carrots.

Answer 4

• Can take 21 days to germinate
• Thin to between 4-7cm apart (remove thinnings to avoid carrot fly)
• Apply water 20L/m2 every two weeks in dry weather (do not let soil dry out completely or carrots will split)
• Mulch to conserve moisture
• Weed regularly.

Question 5

Explain harvesting and storage of carrots.

Answer 5

• Lift earlies in June to August
• Lift maincrop in October and November
• Store in layers in boxes of sand, in a cool dry shed (ensure carrots don’t touch, inspect regularly to remove any rotten ones).

Question 6

Name a pest and disease of carrots, including symptoms and control methods.

Answer 6

Carrot Fly

• Slender creamy-white maggot, burrow into roots
• Seedlings die, plants become stunted, foliage reddens, maggots present
• Netting or plastic barrier 90cm high; thin seedlings at night after watering; grow onions between rows of carrots; remove thinnings; grow resistant cultivars; sow under cloches in Feb/early March or delay sowing until June to miss first generation of larvae.

Violet Root Rot

• Soil-borne fungal disease, mainly affects acid soil
• Leaves become yellow and stunted, roots covered in purple felty mass
• Remove plants before they rot and do not compost them; improve drainage and raise soil pH; avoid growing susceptible crops for four years.

Question 7

Name three early carrot varieties.

Answer 7

• ‘Marion’ F1
• ‘Nantes’ F1
• ‘Nairobi’

Question 8

Name three maincrop carrot varieties.

Answer 8

• ‘Autumn King 2’
• ‘Resistafly’ F1
• ‘Charisma’ F1.