I have now realised why the majority of my Lottie Neighbours say they dont grow carrots as it seems a lot of work but I will give it a go and start over the w/e with the first part
Think I may try a full bed or half a bed....4 foot x 7 foot
Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
What's your soil like, newboy2? For carrots I add a *lot* of sharp sand as I garden on clay and it works well. Carrots don't need a huge amount of food (unlike onions) so I just add a bit of FB&B like Verdun. For clay soil, this method works well:
Dig a trench the width of a border fork (ie about 6") and about 10" deep, laying the soil at the side. Sprinkle plenty of sharp sand on the removed soil so that it is about 50/50 soil and sand. Mix well by raking over a few times, adding a couple of handfuls of FB&B. Once mixed, rake back into the trench, firm a little and sow the seed, finally covering the seed with about 1/2" of the sand soil mix. Any of the mix left over can be raked over the rest of the bed or removed and stored for later use with compost as a general potting mix.
A few years ago I saw a TV programme where a lighthouse keeper grew the most wonderful large carrots in the virtually pure sand of his little island. All he used was a bit of composted seaweed mixed with the sand so they don't need that much fertiliser to grow well. I think he was on one of the Scottish islands so the growing season must have been relatively short, too.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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FB & Verdun...............I have already manured the intended carrot bed on Dec 8th
Should I fork it in now or leave it
? What do you mean "Fork " and why will this happen please
Thanks Verdun
I have now realised why the majority of my Lottie Neighbours say they dont grow carrots as it seems a lot of work but I will give it a go and start over the w/e with the first part
Think I may try a full bed or half a bed....4 foot x 7 foot
What's your soil like, newboy2? For carrots I add a *lot* of sharp sand as I garden on clay and it works well. Carrots don't need a huge amount of food (unlike onions) so I just add a bit of FB&B like Verdun. For clay soil, this method works well:
Dig a trench the width of a border fork (ie about 6") and about 10" deep, laying the soil at the side. Sprinkle plenty of sharp sand on the removed soil so that it is about 50/50 soil and sand. Mix well by raking over a few times, adding a couple of handfuls of FB&B. Once mixed, rake back into the trench, firm a little and sow the seed, finally covering the seed with about 1/2" of the sand soil mix. Any of the mix left over can be raked over the rest of the bed or removed and stored for later use with compost as a general potting mix.
A few years ago I saw a TV programme where a lighthouse keeper grew the most wonderful large carrots in the virtually pure sand of his little island. All he used was a bit of composted seaweed mixed with the sand so they don't need that much fertiliser to grow well. I think he was on one of the Scottish islands so the growing season must have been relatively short, too.