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Time to sow more carrots?

tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
in Fruit & veg
Hi,

This is my first year of planting carrots. I got them in late (early June). If I harvest them now will I get a chance to sow more in the same space and get another crop? Or should I just leave them in the ground a bit longer and get bigger carrots?

Thanks
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Usual sort of time from sowing to cropping is about twelve weeks, so they should be there or thereabouts in the next couple of weeks.  :)
    I'd say it was too late for sowing, but it might be ok where you are. I'm sure someone will be able to advise - maybe @BobTheGardener  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We have had no success for sowing carrots outdoors....no idea why they won't germinate apart from slugs...so we have sowed them in the polytunnel. This has been a success for many years.
    So last week the next sowing was done and already germination is showing.
    Maybe the crop will be small but still worth having ago again.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Agree, too late to sow more this year unless growing under glass or polytunnel.  I always grow varieties like Autumn King which can stay in the ground until needed and often have to clear snow or break frozen soil to dig them up!  I would leave them another few weeks and go for the larger harvest.  What variety are they @tuffnelljohn ?
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
    OK, Ive just picked an exploratory few. Im a little dissapointed as theyre all tiddlers and rather rudely shaped!



    Also, Ive checked the seed packet and they ARE Autumn Kings!

    So do you think I should harvest the rest of the tiddlers and in their place sow more in the hope that in November I will have bigger - and less explicit - harvest? I presume so.

    What is causing the forking? The veg bed is new and is filled with well rotten manure and well-sieved top soil. I havnt given them any plant food other than water.

    Thanks



  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Usually stony soil is the reason for forking. They need quite a fine medium.
    I'd be inclined to leave the crop for a few weeks to get them to full size.

    It's a pity That's Life isn't still on the telly for that one @tuffnelljohn  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
    That's Life. Wow, life seemed a lot simpler back in those days!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    My younger daughter has fits of laughter  every time we say sausages - after I told her about the 'talking dog' and she watched it on YouTube.  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    Ah! yes classic "sausages" "Ester" that dog could really talk.
  • tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
    Just checking... if I sow these Autumn King carrots in september - is that too late do you think?
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I am just about to sow some Autumn King in a cold frame, hopefully baby carrots for Christmas. Fingers crossed. The world will not come to an end if they do not grow and we certainly will not starve if they are too small to eat at Christmas. 
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