Sowing
When: March to July
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Prepare the soil by removing as many stones as you can where you would like the carrots to grow.
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Make a drill (channel) in the soil 2cm deep, using a measurement stick or bamboo cane to keep it straight.
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Taking a pinch of seeds at a time, sprinkle them along the drill evenly and thinly until you have continuous row of seeds.
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Cover the seeds with soil and firm the soil with the back of a trowel before watering them, taking care not to disturb the soil too much.
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Label the row, then make another drill 20cm away and do the same again.
Growing
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When the seedlings are about 4cm tall, thin them out carefully so that there is about 5cm between each one.
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When they are growing or disturbed (for example, from thinning) carrots attract a pest called carrot fly. This fly can only fly up to 50cm off of the ground so you can grow carrots in raised beds, build a barrier taller than 50cm around your crop or grow a more resistant variety (with some that aren't as resistant growing nearby to attract the flies away from your main crop).
Harvesting
When: 12 to 14 weeks after sowing
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After 12 weeks, the carrots should be a decent size for cooking and eating. Generally smaller carrots are more tender and sweeter than those that are larger.
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Water the soil well to make pulling the roots easier.
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Use a fork to losen the soil to one side of the carrot plant, then gently pull up the roots.
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Leaving them in the ground until you need them is a good way to store carrots and extend the amount of time you have them available.
Using
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Orange carrots can be used to make a natural orange dye.
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Save the tops of your carrots to grow leaves and seeds by using our Saucer Veg activity.