GROWING CARROTS
Carrots are the tender, sun-kissed daydream of the vegetable patch—a quiet little promise of sweetness, rooted deep in earth and waiting for their moment of glory. Below the surface, tapered, rosy roots stretch and glow, ready to be lifted like buried treasure and tumbled into soups, purees, or crisp salads. Their feathery green tops dance above the ground, soft and lacy, perfect for snipping into herb butter or tucking into a garden-fresh bouquet.
And for those who delight in variety, carrots come beyond the humble orange: imagine violet-striped beauties, golden wands, or creamy white jewels—each one waiting to brighten your harvest basket.
HOW TO
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When to Plant - Carrots begin their gentle journey in the cool hush of spring. Sow them once the soil feels soft beneath your fingers—typically from mid-April through to early June. Drizzle your seeds into neat rows, about a centimetre deep, spacing them around 2–3 cm apart. Leave about 25–30 cm between rows—a tidy patch where slender roots can stretch downward without elbowing one another.
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Making Room for Roots - Carrots adore deeply worked, loose soil—free of stones or clods that might make them grow misshapen. Before sowing, lift the earth gently, removing any stones that might nudge a carrot into a crooked form.
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Container-Friendly Planting - Short on space? Carrots are happy in deep pots or containers filled with sifted compost or soil, especially for those adorable ‘ballerina’ or miniature varieties. Just make sure the container is deep enough for roots to grow downwards in comfort.
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Starting Indoors & Harden-Off - If spring mornings still carry a crisp bite, sow carrots in modular trays for a cosy start. Once the risk of frost fades, carry them outdoors during the day and bring them in at night—this gentle ritual, a touch of hardening off, readies them for open air. When planting out, ease them gently into the soil at the same depth, about 2–3 cm apart, and hug the earth lightly around each one. A generous watering will make them feel welcomed.
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Spacing Is the Secret to Sweet, Tapered Roots - For gracefully slender roots, thin your seedlings to at least 5 cm apart once they’re waving their second true leaf. This spacing lets each carrot grow sleek and smooth—no cramped elbows here.
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Harvesting Happiness - Carrots are sweetest when pulled young, while their tips are supple and their foliage still sings green. Gently tug them by the feathery tops, coaxing them upward until they reveal their glowing hues. Leave a little tuft of green atop each as a jaunty little hat—perfect for cradling a dollop of butter or a sprinkle of parsley before serving.
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