Here we find the eventual harvest of the Purple Carrots alongside the Orange varieties I planted for reference. As you can see, the almost beet like appearance of the purple carrots combined with the overcrowded orange carrot clusters left me with a suboptimal yield.
Here's how we can improve our results for the next generation of carrots seed starts:
1) Properly loosen the soil before direct seeding + increase depth.
Carrots need ample room to grow. Make sure the soil is loose enough for the tap root to work its way straight down and not sideways.
2) Thin out carrot clusters.
As the carrot tops begin to sprout, make sure to pull some out to create space between heads...ideally 1-2" between, depending on variety.
3) Regulate nutrients.
One of the suggestions i've fielded regarding the Purple giants is that I may have over fertilized within too short a window. Will be adhering to a more specific fertilizing schedule and incorporate slow release options as opposed to just water soluble.
At least Halloween is in a few months in case these mutant carrots takeover again. To be continued...
errorgardener
Here we find the eventual harvest of the Purple Carrots alongside the Orange varieties I planted for reference. As you can see, the almost beet like appearance of the purple carrots combined with the overcrowded orange carrot clusters left me with a suboptimal yield.
Here's how we can improve our results for the next generation of carrots seed starts:
1) Properly loosen the soil before direct seeding + increase depth.
Carrots need ample room to grow. Make sure the soil is loose enough for the tap root to work its way straight down and not sideways.
2) Thin out carrot clusters.
As the carrot tops begin to sprout, make sure to pull some out to create space between heads...ideally 1-2" between, depending on variety.
3) Regulate nutrients.
One of the suggestions i've fielded regarding the Purple giants is that I may have over fertilized within too short a window. Will be adhering to a more specific fertilizing schedule and incorporate slow release options as opposed to just water soluble.
At least Halloween is in a few months in case these mutant carrots takeover again. To be continued...