Those Chantenay Carrots ......

[jal_ut]

When let to grow full season, those Chantenay Carrots can get pretty big.

[img]https://donce.lofthouse.com/jamaica/carrots2010.JPG[/img]

[cynthia_h]

Wow. I had *no* idea...mine haven't ever grown like that. Hmmm...back to the drawing board. Yours would satisfy even the hungriest carrot lover!

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[garden5]

Nice harvest! You must have some rich, loamy soil.

[engineeredgarden]

Gosh...I wish my carrots would turn out that big...what's your secret?

EG

[jal_ut]

Here is one of the big ones on the scales. It made a lot of carrot sticks. These are still good eating and good flavored even at this size.

What is my secret? No secret. I plant a month or six weeks before the last avg frost in the spring. I let some of them grow until October. That gives them about six months of growing time. Of course we will be eating them all summer.

My soil is silt loam and contains about 20% clay. It can get hard and carrots need to have it tilled to a depth of 8 inches. Plenty of organic matter helps to loosen the soil for the carrots. As with any garden crops, good soil fertility will improve yields. Oh, yes, don't forget to thin.

[img]https://donce.lofthouse.com/jamaica/2lbcarrot.jpg[/img]

[garden5]

I've got to try planting mine earlier. I guess I should plant the beginning of April.

You've got a great combination going for you, Jal: loose soil, organic matter, and a lot of growing time.

Your posts always attest to the virtues of wide spacing. Well, what most consider average spacing, I consider wide .

[digitS']

Good thing you got a carrot on the scale, Jal.

Behind the carrots in the 1st photo, I was thinking that might be one of those escargot forks from your kitchen.

Those Chantenay Carrots should be wonderful for a long time this winter. Healthful food!

Steve

[engineeredgarden]

Simply amazing.....

EG