Hi herbaceous. I also couldn't grow decent carrots and they were infested with carrot root fly. I tried everything to no avail, but then I had the idea of getting a poly tunnel to protect them from root fly. I was astounded this year to discover the most amazing, large and beautifully sweet carrots. We have four beds in the polytunnel, one which is planted with strawberries (earlier crops and no blackbird thefts!). The others have tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots which can be rotated. I am so pleased with the results and feel that the polytunnel was really worth the money.
Susie1949 I like the polytunnel idea but I don't have a lot of space, I am inspired to try again next year with a mini tunnel though! Could I just use fleece do you think? Usually plant them in a large box but had a bit of space this year so put them in the ground. Woke up one morning to find a line of starlings having breakfast!
I am on clay so tend to go for the shorter varieties, do you think that may make a difference?
Logan you have my total sympathy! I must be lucky I guess because I abuse and neglect my beets and they still come up trumps. I pay more attention to the carrots because of past problems and get a couple of portions at most.
OK, just had a thought definitely mini tunnel and maybe just ignore them!
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
Hi herbaceous. Sorry I couldn't answer sooner but I was unable to post for a few days. I think that a mini tunnel is a good idea as long as you can protect the openings with a fine mesh (in case of root fly). The fleece idea didn't work for me. I think that 'Chantenay' are a good short carrot, but it really makes no difference in the poly tunnel. I grow about 4 or 5 types and they are all fine. I also have clay soil but it has been well cultivated with the addition of sand. Remember not to manure the ground before sowing. It is also important to sow direct into the ground and not into pots, as seedlings don't transplant well. Hope this all helps
Hi I only grow beet root from module trays and have had great success. I acquired cell trays from a friend which are a nursery type that when planted hold 90 seeds/plugs of beet root which I have got at least 80per cent success to grow on in the ground.
i have given small amount of feed and prepared ground ahead adding grow more and kept the watering down as it intends to accelerate growth of the leaves to much.
i had had some great returns growing cylindra, globe, paublo, golden and this year added choigia which used in salads are great as sliced thinly raw are sweet and add great color with the pink and white stripes.
keep persevering as beet root is my favourite veg I grow and the returns in volume are fantastic keep well and preserved last for a long time
fresh cooked beet root crumbled goats cheese a drizzle of extra virgin salt and pepper this is heaven happy gardening
MIne were slow to get going, but now most have quite large roots. I guess they put on leaves and below ground roots for a long while, and then start to grow the main root. We did have a cool start to the growing season this year.
My yellow cylindrical though are awful, more like chard, never again.
I hear you Susie1949, no fleece. Because I garden on a budget I try not to buy if I can recycle and my daughter just had a new mattress delivered for my grandson wrapped in......you guessed it, polythene! Next year I will have my mini-tunnel.
Chris172 my mouth is watering now I just love fresh beets! I agree about sparse watering as I was told once that you must let root veg find their own water as it encourages the roots down so I just drench if we have a few really dry days and then ignore them again.
So Logan, start your seeds in modules under cover next year, don't coddle them and don't overfeed or water. I am going to have another go with the carrots in a mini-tunnel and we must let each other know what happens. Mind you if I get a reasonable crop of carrots everyone will know!
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
Posts
Thanks for the info Herb.......I planted Boltardy seeds straight into the soil this year, but I much prefer your idea to get more control
Much appreciated
Hi herbaceous. I also couldn't grow decent carrots and they were infested with carrot root fly. I tried everything to no avail, but then I had the idea of getting a poly tunnel to protect them from root fly. I was astounded this year to discover the most amazing, large and beautifully sweet carrots. We have four beds in the polytunnel, one which is planted with strawberries (earlier crops and no blackbird thefts!). The others have tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots which can be rotated. I am so pleased with the results and feel that the polytunnel was really worth the money.
Susie1949 I like the polytunnel idea but I don't have a lot of space, I am inspired to try again next year with a mini tunnel though! Could I just use fleece do you think? Usually plant them in a large box but had a bit of space this year so put them in the ground. Woke up one morning to find a line of starlings having breakfast!
I am on clay so tend to go for the shorter varieties, do you think that may make a difference?
Logan you have my total sympathy! I must be lucky I guess because I abuse and neglect my beets and they still come up trumps. I pay more attention to the carrots because of past problems and get a couple of portions at most.
OK, just had a thought
definitely mini tunnel and maybe just ignore them!
Hi herbaceous. Sorry I couldn't answer sooner but I was unable to post for a few days. I think that a mini tunnel is a good idea as long as you can protect the openings with a fine mesh (in case of root fly). The fleece idea didn't work for me. I think that 'Chantenay' are a good short carrot, but it really makes no difference in the poly tunnel. I grow about 4 or 5 types and they are all fine. I also have clay soil but it has been well cultivated with the addition of sand. Remember not to manure the ground before sowing. It is also important to sow direct into the ground and not into pots, as seedlings don't transplant well. Hope this all helps
Hi I only grow beet root from module trays and have had great success. I acquired cell trays from a friend which are a nursery type that when planted hold 90 seeds/plugs of beet root which I have got at least 80per cent success to grow on in the ground.
i have given small amount of feed and prepared ground ahead adding grow more and kept the watering down as it intends to accelerate growth of the leaves to much.
i had had some great returns growing cylindra, globe, paublo, golden and this year added choigia which used in salads are great as sliced thinly raw are sweet and add great color with the pink and white stripes.
keep persevering as beet root is my favourite veg I grow and the returns in volume are fantastic keep well and preserved last for a long time
fresh cooked beet root crumbled goats cheese a drizzle of extra virgin salt and pepper this is heaven happy gardening
MIne were slow to get going, but now most have quite large roots. I guess they put on leaves and below ground roots for a long while, and then start to grow the main root. We did have a cool start to the growing season this year.
My yellow cylindrical though are awful, more like chard, never again.
I hear you Susie1949, no fleece. Because I garden on a budget I try not to buy if I can recycle and my daughter just had a new mattress delivered for my grandson wrapped in......you guessed it, polythene! Next year I will have my mini-tunnel.
Chris172 my mouth is watering now I just love fresh beets! I agree about sparse watering as I was told once that you must let root veg find their own water as it encourages the roots down so I just drench if we have a few really dry days and then ignore them again.
So Logan, start your seeds in modules under cover next year, don't coddle them and don't overfeed or water. I am going to have another go with the carrots in a mini-tunnel and we must let each other know what happens. Mind you if I get a reasonable crop of carrots everyone will know!