Gareth Austin on sowing and growing carrots
Gareth Austin, gardening expert with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Foyle, answers your questions about growing the Dig In carrots. Why do some only grow to a centimetre and how deep should you plant the seeds. If you have advice to share about growing the Dig In carrots, you can add your comments at the bottom of this entry.
Phil Clarke from Consett, County Durham, asks: I am planning to use a medium-size plastic waste bin with holes punctured in it to drain water to grow my carrots in. Would this be OK to use with compost and stones at the bottom? And how deep do I push the seeds in to the compost. I'm (attempting) to produce Royal Chantenays.
Answer: Phil, this sounds perfect. Royal Chantenays are ideal for pots as they're not a massive growing carrot. We're growing successfully in pots at Radio Foyle here. Fill with John Inness-enriched multi-purpose compost and it should be grand. Remember to sow the seeds thinly, ideal about 2 inches apart and 1 inch below the soil, cover with fine compost and water. Now is an ideal time to sow carrots as the dreaded root fly is on holidays at the moment!
Sam from Southampton asks: I have planted a row of carrots and some have only grown to about a centimetre before dying off, while the others are fine. They are adequately spaced and have been well tended. Do you know of any reason for this?
Answer: Sam sounds like carrot root fly is your trouble here, try and sow more in a different area of the garden/veg patch. Now is a good time to sow as root fly is out of season for the next few weeks. Sow seeds thinly and try to plant some French marigold, spring onions or garlic close by to confuse the root fly (there wee fellows are attracted by the smell of the carrots).
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