Carrot

Preparing the Bed

Carrots need deep, loose, stone-free soil. If your soil is heavy or stony, grow shorter round varieties or raise beds. Never add fresh manure before sowing — this causes roots to fork. Mix in a little sharp sand to improve drainage.

Sowing

Sow thinly direct, 1cm deep, in rows 30cm apart from March to July. Carrot seed is very fine — mix with dry sand for easier sowing. Germination can be slow and erratic. Cover with fleece to warm the soil and deter carrot fly.

Thinning

Thin in two stages to 5–8cm apart, doing so in the evening to avoid attracting carrot fly (which is drawn to the smell of crushed foliage). Remove thinnings from the plot.