I guarantee that you will never taste a carrot better than one that you have just pulled fresh from your garden. Growing carrots is easy and once you know the secret you should have no problem growing your own 14 carat carrots in no time.
The Secret to Carrot Growing Success
There is really only one trick to growing perfect carrots. Keep the rocks away! Before planting carrot seeds you need to really work the garden soil and remove any rocks or stones that might get in the delicate carrot root's way. Think of a rock as a dead end for carrots. The poor things don't know what to do or which way to go. When a carrot root hits a rock, it becomes confused and it might just stop growing, or even worse, split in two. Either way, your carrots aren't going to be able to reach their full potential.
Carrots come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can grow anywhere from an inch and a half to more than nine inches long. Before planting, check your seed pack for root length and then be sure to till your garden soil to at least that depth.
How to Grow Carrots
Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil to plant your carrot seeds. Carrots do best in loose, sandy soils but the shorter varieties can be planted in heavier, clay-like soils. You can also find success by planting carrots in containers, just be sure to choose deep enough containers for the variety you want to grow.
Carrots are a cool-season crop and your first sowing should take place in early spring, after danger of heavy frost has passed. You can plant a second crop of carrots in midsummer for a fall crop, keeping in mind that carrot roots can tolerate a light frost.
Plant carrot seeds in rows. Your seed package should contain the correct information for depth and spacing for your choice of carrot varieties. Carrot seeds take awhile to germinate so be patient. It could be a full two weeks before you see any action.
Your carrot seedlings will need to be thinned to about three inches apart once they are big enough to handle.
When watering, remember that carrots are prized for their delicious roots. They need to be watered long, and deeply, enough to reach to the tips of their toes. This means that as they grow throughout the season, they will continue to need more and more water.
If your carrot's shoulders are exposed to too much sunlight, they may turn green. You can prevent this by watering and fertilizing regularly to promote quick growth of the foliage, which will in turn act like an umbrella and keep your carrots roots well covered.
How to Harvest Carrots
Carrots can be harvested beginning at thinning time. The little "thinnings" are great when used in salads or for snacks. Soaking your carrot bed with water before pulling will make harvesting much easier.
Carefully grab a carrot's foliage top and twist slowly as you pull each carrot from the ground, one at a time. Carrots can be safely left in the ground until the soil freezes. In warm southern climates, carrots can be left in the ground all winter long.
After harvesting, store your fresh-picked carrots in a cool area until you are ready to use them.
Cooking Fresh Carrots
Carrots are one of those wonderful vegetables that really don't need much fuss to make them taste better. They are so good, in fact, that you can enjoy them raw.
Raw carrots are great when shredded or sliced, and added to salads; or peeled and sliced into "carrot sticks" which can be eaten plain, or dipped into your favorite salad dressing. My family enjoys a nice Ranch dressing with our carrots but your favorite dressing would be just as good.
Raw carrots can also be used as an attractive garnish for platters or to spiff up an ordinary dish before serving. The easiest carrot garnish to prepare is "carrot-curls." To make carrot curls, simply peel an entire carrot over a bowl, then use the curls wherever you like.
Carrots can be cooked and prepared in just about any way you can think of. Try them steamed, boiled, baked, glazed, sautéed, or in soups, stews and casseroles. Young carrot foliage can be used to flavor soups and stews as well.
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