Carrot picture from my garden.

[BrianSkilton]

Okay, guys, I'm seriously jealous. I blamed my rock-hard clay soil for my carrot failures, until I did the Square Foot Garden deal, and they failed there as well. How do you grow these things?

I too have Rock hard clay soil, that is why I did some carrots in a raised bed with organic material and compost as well as peat moss, very nice and loose, and the carrots are growing huge. I have the rainbow carrot variety growing, purple, red, white, yellow, and orange.

[applestar]

Oooh! Sounds purr-ty!
I saw those in a seed catalog, but I already had a bunch of carrots seeds so I couldn't get them. I might get them for next spring though, since I've used up most of the carrot seeds.

[BrianSkilton]

Yeah there pretty darn cool looking applestar....I get sick of planting the same ordinary veg, got to be adventurous. I pulled them out earlier then I should of because I was so curious how they looked. The purple ones are purple on the outside and orange in the inside, kinda of a cool looking combination, the white ones kind of look like a turnip, the red ones are very red, very bright....first time trying them, I can't wait until all of them are ready to pull. I do have some in m rock hard clay soil to and those are struggling, but the ones in the raised bed are doing very well. I would show you guys some pics, but I haven't taken any of them yet.

[a0c8c]

Let us know how they taste as well, I've wondered about that. Heirloom tomatoes have always tasted better, hopefully your carrots will too.

[tedln]

Beautiful carrots guys! After growing a bed full of orange tooth picks, I am seriously jealous.

Ted

[David Taylor]

Thanks for your insight Applestar. And Pharmerphil, I just may need to go to confession for how green my jealousy is. Cold temps may be a contributing factor to my complete and utter failure. You all are planting seeds very early in the spring, in snow? A testament to your dedication. It not only never rains in Southern California, but it doesn't get especially cold. Its 5:23am and 65 degrees on the patio. The last time it snowed here was in 1969, I'm still traumatized. Just twenty-five miles away (and three thousand feet up) Julian grows world-famous apples, but here, too often, the peach trees don't get enough cold to set fruit.

So, you see, its NOT MY FAULT!. Mother Nature is to blame.

Maybe I can install an air conditioner in the SFG! I'll start working on the plans, as well as apply your suggestions.

[pharmerphil]

[img]https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/chobb/Sm/yo.gif[/img] You are welcome Applestar and Diane [img]https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/chobb/Sm/yo.gif[/img]
Thank You everyone for your kind words...
David, we plant carrots in late April to early May...any sooner here and we'd need a ice pick to make holes

[kgall]

Wow! Nice carrots. I pulled a couple of carrots today and here they are. Puny compared to yours! I planted them mid May. The packet said 75 days to harvest and I am on day 95 and getting anxious!
The little one is about 2 inches long, the big one about 6.

[img]https://i799.photobucket.com/albums/yy280/kgall_photo/P1020484.jpg[/img]

[kr222]

Holy cow. That is the largest carrot I have ever seen!