Each carrot is a lottery. The ones you pull from your patch will look nothing like the long, waxed things you buy from the supermarket. They will be bent and twisted and hooked – contorting themselves in an effort to find moisture and nutrition, something we all bitterly keep away from our plants from time to time. You never really know what shape will come out. The only guarantee is that they’re rarely straight.
Growing carrots successfully, and straight if you wish, hinges on soil preparation and watering. You’re after a soil that is not too friable, making it too easy for the carrot to chase pockets of nutrition and moisture as it begins to fork or curl. But at the same time you don’t want it to be too compacted. This is another time when we use the ‘Goldilocks principle’ for giving ambiguous advice. Yes, we want a soil that is just right. Despite typically being slender and orange, a carrot can be short, stumpy, round and long, as well as yellow, purple, pink, black, white and, yes, orange. Unfortunately, unless you’re eating a carrot while undergoing laser eye surgery, they will not improve your vision.
PLANTING
Sow from seed, but rather than the freehand scatter method, take the time to space seeds properly. It seems like extra work but it means thinning (a job most people don’t do) is not necessary and tips the chances of growing straight carrots in your favour.
WATERING
In ground: Water daily for the first 4 weeks and 3-4 times a week in the absence of rainfall thereafter. More frequent watering may be required during the warmer times of the year.
In Pots: Water daily while establishing and for the entirety of the warm season, otherwise every second day – after they are 4 weeks old – if growing during the cooler times of the year.
MAINTENANCE
Thin out seedling to a spacing of 3–5cm and mulch using pea straw, lucerne hay or sugar cane to a depth of 3–5cm. As carrots are an all-year-round vegetable in most climates, begin your next planting of seeds after 6 weeks if space is available. This way you can get a staggered, regular harvest.
HARVESTING
Time until first harvest: About 12 weeks.
How to harvest: Gently jiggle the carrot while pulling it at the base of its stem. Brace nearby carrots to prevent them from being dislodged. If you are not satisfied with the size, place it back in the ground to continue growing.
TIP
Pick as you need them, as fresh garden carrots quickly turn limp.
