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tiny carrots
Vaila
Posts: 17
in Fruit & veg
I planted my carrots in late autum, early winter.Nothing happened for months, but now the foliage is now about 8 inches tall, but the carrots are still no bigger than my little finger. What am i missing?
0
Posts
It might be that they've had too much nitrogen which encourages foliage at the expense of root growth. Also, they need watering and warmth to get the roots to develop.
They will also stay small if they are too close together. If you've not thinned them you could thin them to about 4" or 5" apart - you can cook the little ones - the others will grow bigger.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
...but if you're thinning in June (especially) do all you can to avoid spreading the smell of the foliage, which will attract carrot fly. Try not to touch the plants you're leaving in, water (ideally with a fine rose, and if it ever stops rainng) afterwards to damp it down and take the thinnings away.
I tried overwintering carrots in a pot (there are no beds
) in the greenhouse and have been eating delicious finger-sized carrots for a month now, on and off 
Never tried it outside - didn't know you could!
Thanks Dovefrom abobe and steve 309. will try thinning them out. not sure about the nitrogen level, have never tested. thanks for the advice.
have pulled 2 out of every 3 out, they are teeny! hope this makes a difference
Do let us know. Very fashionable, baby veg!
The RHS recommends this variety for over-wintering http://www.notcutts.co.uk/carrot-nantes-frubund-fast-crop-seeds/gardening/notcutts/fcp-product/12866
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
It might, but what about slugs?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.