Growing a Maximum Carrot Crop in the Garden

Planting Carrots

On this week's episode, Travis is growing a maximum carrot crop in a tight space in the vegetable garden. When planting a carrot crop on double rows with drip irrigation it has always worked well and we have received a bountiful harvest in the Spring garden for several years. Travis suggests planting carrots in the fall towards the end of October when temperatures are cooler which lets us overwinter and harvest them in the spring. Also, we can succession plant carrots in the spring around February to harvest before the warm weather comes towards May. Unlike other crops, carrots take a long time to germinate, so if you experience heavy weed pressures that can be a major problem when growing carrots. When it comes to heavy weeds in the garden this creates major issues because weeds will compete with carrots for nutrients in the soil. The first step to planting carrots is by using the Double Wheel Hoe with the plow set to help create furrows along the row where the drip tape will be laid in the area. Travis recommends using drip tape to ensure the carrots get an adequate amount of irrigation and fertilizer directly to the plant roots where they need it most. Before adding drip tape, Travis likes to add a good quality compost down to help supply nutrients in the soil before planting. To incorporate the drip he runs the drip tape layer attachment along the furrows so he can bury the drip tape and cover it in one pass through. Once the carrot seeds are planted, Travis is going to take a rake and lightly cover them along the row in the garden. Another important key to planting carrots to save space and maximum crops is by planting them thick along the garden rows.

Harvesting Carrots

Different carrot crop varieties can be harvested at various times. Therefore, it is easy to come in the vegetable garden and pick a few as you need them, so you don't have to worry about gathering them all at once. Another thing about overwintering carrots is they're going to take a lot longer to mature than the listed maturity date. When storing carrots, Travis just grabs a handful of carrots to place them in a bag with one end open so the carrot tops are free and then place them in a fridge. Once in the fridge, the carrots can store really well for two to three weeks and sometimes even longer.

Carrot Crop Varieties

The Bolero Carrot variety is an exceptional hybrid that is not only disease-resistant but has a great flavor profile. While the Yellowstone is an open-pollinated variety that produces large yellow carrots with vigorous tops. Another variety is the Purple Haze which is visually appealing with a dark purple exterior and orange interior in the vegetable garden. However, the Deep Purple variety is another purple carrot that is present throughout the exterior and interior of the carrot crop. The Danvers 126 is the traditional bugs bunny carrot that has broad shoulders and a strong taper to a sharp tip. The two new varieties of carrots we have available is Black Nebula and Chantenay Royal.