Better way to plant carrot seeds?

milaneyjane 6/14/2011, 11:18 am

I have no problem personally planting carrot seeds at home, but the carrots planted at the school garden didn't do so well. I worked with the kids to plant the gardens, but since it is a learning process for them, they actually do all the planting. I don't quite know what went wrong, but in 4 squares of carrots, we maybe have 10 carrots growing. I am thinking that the small seed size played a roll in it since the kids couldn't even see the seeds once they were on the dirt. Any good suggestions for next year on a better way to plant carrot seeds? I thought it was pretty straight forward. We actually took the square and drew four lines in the square 1/4 inch deep and I had them plant the four rows. I have heard of mixing them with sand.

I ended up planting beets in the squares yesterday just to fill them in.

**camprn** 6/14/2011, 11:25 am

My first thought is: use papertowels that are about 12"x12", a light layer of spray adhesive, sprinkle the carrot seed then put another paper towel on top. then plant the whole paper towel. :?:

Lurach 6/14/2011, 11:46 am

Great idea with the paper towel, camprn! Another trick is to cut strips of toilet paper and place drops of glue at the appropriate intervals, then use tweezers to drops 2-3 seeds onto each drop of glue. Cut the strips into 12" lengths, then place the 12" strips in the appropriate places within your squares. (Ok, I stole the idea from Garden Girl, but I adapted my version for SFG. =P) Best of luck!

~Lu

**Furbalsmom** 6/14/2011, 4:23 pm

At the Children's Garden here in my little town, we used a single layer of 12X12 paper towels (most are double layers), placed drops of Elmers Glue All at the appropriate spacing, but don't be stingy with the seeds like I was, make sure you use 2 or 3 seeds on each drop of glue. Situate in SFQ, then cover the paper towel lightly with soil, and keep moist until they sprout.

We have nice lettuces, radishes, carrot and beets planted this way and the spacing is great.

BackyardBirdGardner 6/14/2011, 6:53 pm

If it were me, I would move the top layer of MM to the side with my hand, broadcast the seeds as best I could into 4 short rows, cover up with the MM I moved aside, and lightly pat it down. Those seeds are so small for little kids.....and big kids. I would also be prepared to go back and thin in a couple weeks without the kids.

scooter 6/15/2011, 5:41 pm

Some places sell pelleted seeds... cost per seed increases, but maybe so much easier to handle and less thinning that it washes out in the end.

I used regular seed this year, but next year I am going to give pelleted a shot for carrots and lettuce...

bev 6/15/2011, 10:05 pm

I used seed tape carrots this year (purchased, not home-made). They are more expensive - I think it was $2.79 for 15 feet but they are growing great.

Barkie 6/16/2011, 6:41 am

How about getting them some wide spaced wire mesh, cut to the size of a square and they can drop one seed into each hole, or into every third or fourth hole, in the mesh?

TN_GARDENER 6/16/2011, 5:00 pm

The paper towel/toilet paper idea is a good one. Works just fine.

With my carrots, I typically spread out the seeds on a paper plate and wet my finger so the seeds stick. I then dust with a little dirt to cover. I had some carrots last year that looked like they came straight from the store (nice, straight & long).

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Better way to plant carrot seeds?

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