Carrots

[Tom J]

Hi I've sown some carrot seens in a tub, its probably about 15" deep and about 10" wide. the problem is i don't know if this is going to be deep enough and i used 100% compost and have read that the carrots may fork? any ideas what to do

[GreenHouse]

If you have already sowed your seeds then there is not a lot you can do. 15" is plenty deep enough unless you want 18" long carrots. As for the compost, the only thing you could have done to help was to seive it but they should be ok & even if they fork, they are still edible. Keep manure away from them, that can cause forking.

[DavidT]

Tom, I don`t see a problem with the container or using compost.

[Tom J]

thanks guys

[mfc]

Ive massive gaps in my rows of carrots can i transplant some from rows which are inundated with carrots seedlings?

Sorry for hijacking the thread, didnt know if i should start another thread on carrots.

[DavidT]

There are 2 major problems with transplanting carrots. 1/ the transplanted seedlings are likely to "fork". 2/ more importantly, the smell from the moved carrots can attract carrot fly, which would decimate your entire crop.

[rocket]

Hello

Apologies from me also for hijacking this thread...!

My carrots are also growing in a tub. They are in a large metal tub that I think probably used to be a bath (not a modern ceramic thing more like an old victorian dog bath or something) but I was wondering if this would help keep the carrot fly away either because:

a) it means the carrots (and parsnips as well, actually) are growing quite high off the ground - maybe two or three feet high and I heard that carrotfly move quite close to the ground
b) the smell of the metal (?) will mask the carrot smell

Is that right ?

[hiyatim]

rocket, this is my first season growing so dont quote me but i hav also head they fly close to the ground so this should definatley help your cause, also it tends to be transplanting them that attracts the carrot fly as the female can smell the bruising of the leaves, i planted far to many seeds in a pot and more than i thought came through so i was forced to transplant,(and there is still too many, im hoping they will all just bunch up and get a load of small carrots) i did it off the ground and put fine netting over to try and prevent carrot fly. Not sure about the masking of smell tho im afraid

[greengirl]

I've heard that you can help mask carrot smells by co-planting (or nearby if in tubs) stuff like parsley or other strong smelling herb. I have lavendar near mine in the hope this might help!! Anyone know if marigolds help, heard they are good for something in the veg garden, but not sure if it was the masking smells. I have a lot of marigold seedlings up, so I'll be planting those near my carrots if this is the case. Yes, I've heard too that if you plant in deep container the carrot fly are flying too near ground, but mine were in a 2' high bag last year and I still got caught out. Netting probably best I would think. Can I have advise on how fine netting has to be to keep c.fly off, thanks.