Carrots

CARROTS

...what else?

One of the great things about growing your own vegetables is that you can grow things that are hard to find in the shops. It’s not just unusual vegetables you can grow but also unusual types of familiar ones, such as multi-coloured carrots.

HOW TO SOW MULTI-COLOURED CARROTS?

Make a shallow trench in some raked soil soil in a sunny part of the garden, using the corner of the blade of a hoe. Sprinkle multi-purpose compost along the base of the trench, then water it. Scatter carrot seeds thinly along the row of compost.

Cover the seed with compost or some sieved soil so that the seeds are no longer visible, and put a label at the end of the row. Water the area again if conditions are very dry and the soil goes pale and dusty.

The main pest that affects carrots is carrot fly. The larvae of these flies feed on the roots of carrots after the flies lay their eggs by the roots. Covering the rows with insect proof netting will help protect your crop. Make sure you firm the soil and replace the netting straight after harvesting carrots if you don’t harvest them all in one go.

NIGHT BIRD

This dark purple carrot has a nutty flavour and contains high levels of anthocyanins, which may help keep your heart healthy and reduce blood pressure if eaten often.

SAMURAI

This red skinned carrot has a pink flesh inside and holds its colour well once it has been cooked. It has a sweeter flavour than orange carrots. It will be ready to harvest around 16 weeks after sowing.

CREAMPAK

These creamy coloured carrots maintain their colour, right up to the stalks at the top of the plant. The roots have a sweet taste when raw and don’t need peeling because of their smooth skins.

YELLOWSTONE

These mustard coloured, smooth-skinned carrots are quick cropping, being ready to harvest just 85 days after sowing. The roots hold their colour well after cooking.

Learn more about amazing carrot recipes!