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Carrots: Lots of leaves, no veg?

Shoxt3rShoxt3r Posts: 196
in Fruit & veg
Hi all,

I've had carrots in for approximately 8 weeks now and although there is plenty of foliage forming on all of them, I've yet to see any carrot tops.

They have been regularly watered and the most I've fed them is a standard Miracle Gro feed once every 1-2 weeks as per the guidance.

Any thoughts?


Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Give them time.  I find it depends on the variety.  One type I planted we've been eating for two weeks.. another variety (of the same size and height of top growth) is still like a tiny tap root when I pulled one up yesterday.  Traditionally, I've found the 'half fingers' or 'half long' type varieties grow a root a bit quicker.  

    What type did you plant? 
    Utah, USA.
  • PlashingPlashing Posts: 328
    They take quite awhile before you see any signs of the carrot because they develop under ground so you won't see much above ground at all,unless you have the stump verity which you may see some forming above ground.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Also, maybe leave off the fertilizer?  I'm not sure, as I don't use store bought fertilizers on my veg, but maybe it's feeding/encouraging the top growth and not the root?  
    Utah, USA.
  • Shoxt3rShoxt3r Posts: 196
    Blue Onion said:
    Give them time.  I find it depends on the variety.  One type I planted we've been eating for two weeks.. another variety (of the same size and height of top growth) is still like a tiny tap root when I pulled one up yesterday.  Traditionally, I've found the 'half fingers' or 'half long' type varieties grow a root a bit quicker.  

    What type did you plant? 
    Yeah that's kinda what I was thinking, maybe I'm just being too impatient haha. I've planted "Resistafly F1" I think (I'll need to double-check the packet in the morning). Strangely, some which I have been planting in little pots to then place in the raised bed have almost caught up to one that has been in there for ages, at least in terms of foliage length anyway!

    Plashing said:
    They take quite awhile before you see any signs of the carrot because they develop under ground so you won't see much above ground at all,unless you have the stump verity which you may see some forming above ground.

    Yeah I think I just need to give them time really - I'm working from home due to the Covid-19 situation so I guess I'm looking out the window all the time expecting something to have happened on a daily basis haha!

    Blue Onion said:
    Also, maybe leave off the fertilizer?  I'm not sure, as I don't use store bought fertilizers on my veg, but maybe it's feeding/encouraging the top growth and not the root?  

    Yes good point - I'll try leaving them be and see what that yields. I do always wonder if I overfeed my fruit and veg (carrots, cucumber, strawberries and tomatoes)! My trouble is I just blindly follow what the packet usually says so I feed at the minimum number of days (e.g. on a weekly basis). 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've never fed carrots when growing them.
    Patience is needed.  :)
    Ideally, you can sow seeds every few weeks to give you a succession of your crop too.

    Most people overfeed stuff. Manufacturers of feeds like that  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Shoxt3rShoxt3r Posts: 196
    Fairygirl said:
    I've never fed carrots when growing them.
    Patience is needed.  :)
    Ideally, you can sow seeds every few weeks to give you a succession of your crop too.

    Most people overfeed stuff. Manufacturers of feeds like that  ;)
    Haha all good to know! Yes I was thinking of keeping a steady crop going - presumably it's getting a little late in the year to sow more new seeds though? :(
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Not at all, you can sow the fast growing types (usually labelled 'early') such as Early Nantes from March through to August.  :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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