Carrots - Early

Type: Vegetable

Rotation Group: 2, Roots and Onions


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EARLY SCARLET HORN

A truly ancient variety, but still a great choice for early crops of high quality, conical little carrots.
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CASCADE

A very reliable high quality 'Chantenay' type, ideal for cropping as baby carrots as well as using as main crop. The sweet tasty roots resist running to seed and they store well.
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CHANTENAY RED CORED

Recommended for producing baby chantenay carrots, approx 50mm/2in long - wonderful raw in salads or lightly boiled or steamed. Left, they will mature to produce 130-150mm long roots. The carrot has wide shoulders, is conical in shape with a stump end.
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NANTES 5

The classic early carrot, but equally good for 'little and often' sowings through several months. Produces blunt ended carrots with good uniform roots. The great colour, flavour and a crisp texture make this variety an excellent addition to summer salads.

Site, Soil and Preparation

Carrots grow best in full sun and light, fertile, well-drained soil. If your soil is stony, shallow or heavy clay, you may end up with stunted or forked roots, so try short-rooted types.

Indoor Sowing

Carrots are best sown outdoors in their final growing position.

Outdoor Sowing

Early varieties can be sown in February or March under cloches or covered with fleece. Sow the seeds as thinly as possible, 10m (1/2in) deep, in rows 150-300mm (6-12in) apart. Seeds can be slow to germinate, so be patient.

Thinning

Thin out the seedlings if necessary, aiming for plants 50-75mm (2-3in) apart.

Transplanting

Carrots are best sown outdoors in their final growing position and do not need transplanting.

Care

Carrots are drought resistant so seldom need watering. However, in long dry spells they will benefit from a soaking. Fast-growing weeds can crowd out carrots, so hand weed regularly between rows. Be careful when weeding or thinning that you don't crush the foliage, as the smell attracts carrot fly.

Harvest

Carrots are ready about 12-16 weeks after sowing. For the best flavour harvest carrots as soon as they are large enough to use.