Re: Carrot Week 2012!

givvmistamps 4/12/2012, 11:45 pm

That's what they said...I'm not using MM in any of my boxes as they don't have it pre-mixed in the local stores and I'm not capable of mixing it the book way (that's when someone told me about the cement mixer way). So, I had to settle for the organic garden soil (compost based) that I could find at the local stores. When I saw the notice about carrot week, I was disappointed at first since I felt that would keep me out of participating...then I saw the "no rules, just fun" clause. cheers

givvmistamps 4/12/2012, 11:47 pm

GWN, I think they said it starts a few days before the 15th, and lasts a few days after...for a total of a week-long planting period. That way folks facing rain didn't have to get soaked, or whatnot. Very Happy

mschaef 4/12/2012, 11:50 pm

Just so you know they said the start date was the 15 but gave a 2 day extension on both sides of that day for those who could not plant on that particular day. And we are not using Mel's mix or planting in a square. We are using some potting soil that I had in the garage and pots since we are moving so that pots can go with us in the car. My son already informed me that they get to sit by him! Carrot Week 2012! - Page 2 889526

givvmistamps 4/12/2012, 11:54 pm

Well, they probably shouldn't go in the back of a moving van, anyway. It might get too hot for them.

**RoOsTeR** 4/13/2012, 7:46 am

Here's the OP in case you missed it:

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t10069-2nd-annual-carrot-week

Planting week will be the week of April 15th. Like last year, let's do three days either side of the 15th. So you can plant your carrots anytime from Thurday, April 12th thru Wednesday the 18th.

Since we are the Square Foot Gardening forum, I will always promote the use of Mel's Mix, you can however use any medium you wish, and plant in your carrots in anything you want. It will be interesting to see all the results...

And mschaef, thanks again for taking part in the fun and posting a picture! That's exactly what we are looking for here.

Here's a great quote from GooseGirl:

If I remember right, for the 1st Annual Carrot Week a nantes type was chosen just so we would all be planting the same type of carrot at the same time so we could all compare what happened to the same basic variety in all of our different climates. For some it was a late start time and for others (like me, who still had some snow) it was an early start time. Every month on the 15th or so we could post pics or give an update on what was happening to that specific type of crop at that particular time in our little corner of the world. I had a blast with it! It was my first year with my SFG boxes and it really made me feel like part of the forum!

GG

quiltbea 4/13/2012, 10:39 am

I'm heading out to sow my ONE SQUARE of Scarlet Nantes this morning. I won't forget the date I did it, Friday the 13th. I won't have the earliest anyway, being up here in Maine.

You only need to sow one square so have fun.

Goosegirl 4/13/2012, 2:10 pm

I will have to mark the specific square that I am using the Nantes for Carrot Week, because I am going to put in LOTS of carrots this weekend! Usually this would be too early, but we have had such an early spring (virtually no winter) that I probably could have put in my carrots a month ago! Who'da thunk?!

GG

gingeandhales 4/13/2012, 2:26 pm

Planted my Nantes today. One thing I didn't think through with my weed block solution is proper watering, but I think I was able to get the soil moist enough to get these carrots growing.

[img] Carrot Week 2012! - Page 2 5bf270bc

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quiltbea 4/13/2012, 2:40 pm

My Scarlet Nantes seeds are sown along with another square of Juane Obtuse (yellow) carrots I'm trying this year.

PeonyLover 4/13/2012, 2:55 pm

I'm sooooo glad i didn't jump the gun and plant my Nantes yesterday. HUGE storm last night golf ball sized hail, tornadoes and tons of rain (seriously-this Ca?). I ran outside like a crazy woman putting every Pyrex bowl, large Tupperware, and pickle jar I had on everything I could. Still haven't assessed the damage completely i'm leaving everything covered for now. We're supposed to get another round of hail this afternoon. For once procrastination paid off. lol!

yolos 4/13/2012, 2:57 pm

Just planted four varieties of Nantes carrots in four separate squares.

YaYa

Bolero

Nelson

Scarlet Nantes

I am experimenting this year and trying many different varieties of veggies to see which ones can survive in the heat and humidity of Georgia. In the ANSFG book, Mel says they can be planted all four seasons. But I thought these were a cold weather crop. It is going up to 85 degrees this week, so I hope they are not a cold weather crop. The date to maturity is about 70 days which would put full maturity around the first of July. Temps at that time of year are 95 to 100 degrees. If they are a cold weather crop, I will have to pick them very young.

plantoid 4/13/2012, 5:36 pm

gingeandhales wrote:Planted my Nantes today. One thing I didn't think through with my weed block solution is proper watering, but I think I was able to get the soil moist enough to get these carrots growing.

[img][/img]

Don't forget to carefully remove the weed block without damaging the carrot tops when the carrots are about 2 &1/2 inches high .

That way you can water to your hearts content etc as you'll be easly be able to identify the carrots and snip off any weeds.

mschaef 4/13/2012, 7:25 pm

yolos wrote:Just planted four varieties of Nantes carrots in four separate squares.

YaYa

Bolero

Nelson

Scarlet Nantes

I am experimenting this year and trying many different varieties of veggies to see which ones can survive in the heat and humidity of Georgia. In the ANSFG book, Mel says they can be planted all four seasons. But I thought these were a cold weather crop. It is going up to 85 degrees this week, so I hope they are not a cold weather crop. The date to maturity is about 70 days which would put full maturity around the first of July. Temps at that time of year are 95 to 100 degrees. If they are a cold weather crop, I will have to pick them very young.

I grew up in GA not very far from Brooks and you can grow lots of stuff. Just be sure to keep the soil moist and you'll do great!!! As for the carrot just leave them in longer and they will keep growing! Very Happy

gingeandhales 4/13/2012, 7:54 pm

plantoid wrote:
Don't forget to carefully remove the weed block without damaging the carrot tops when the carrots are about 2 &1/2 inches high .

That way you can water to your hearts content etc as you'll be easly be able to identify the carrots and snip off any weeds.

Thanks for the reminder. I can't wait to see those little green tops.

givvmistamps 4/13/2012, 10:40 pm

yolos wrote:Just planted four varieties of Nantes carrots in four separate squares.

YaYa

Bolero

Nelson

Scarlet Nantes

I am experimenting this year and trying many different varieties of veggies to see which ones can survive in the heat and humidity of Georgia. In the ANSFG book, Mel says they can be planted all four seasons. But I thought these were a cold weather crop. It is going up to 85 degrees this week, so I hope they are not a cold weather crop. The date to maturity is about 70 days which would put full maturity around the first of July. Temps at that time of year are 95 to 100 degrees. If they are a cold weather crop, I will have to pick them very young.

I'm quite a ways south of there, near the GA/FL line on the FL side. While what I've read varies on carrots, my understanding is that we can plant them through mid-April here; everyone here tells me that shade cloth can be used to even keep lettuce growing through the summer. So, you ought to be okay letting your carrots grow out their term as long as you water them enough and shade them. Besides, part of the fun of this event is to see what happens to carrots grown throughout the world that are all planted on the same day. Very Happy

As for temperatures, it's more likely to stay between 85-95 with a heat index between 90-100 during the hottest part of the summer...but this year has been very strange already so far! We had almost no winter at all, and it was 90 on April 2nd and several days since.

Are you new to the South, or just to GA?

yolos 4/13/2012, 11:03 pm

Are you new to the South, or just to GA?

I have been living in GA since 1974. This is my first year trying things other than tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes. So I am experimenting. My tomatoes always get some kind of disease or other. I moved to this new house in 2008 and gave up on the soil within a few years. I scrapped out all my "diseased" topsoil (amended Ga clay) and I am now trying SFG. This time I am reading everything I can to determine the best way to plant and the varieties of the different veggies to plant. I decided a new "soil less" soil was the way to go.

givvmistamps 4/13/2012, 11:24 pm

yolos wrote:
Are you new to the South, or just to GA?

I have been living in GA since 1974. This is my first year trying things other than tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes. So I am experimenting. My tomatoes always get some kind of disease or other. I moved to this new house in 2008 and gave up on the soil within a few years. I scrapped out all my "diseased" topsoil (amended Ga clay) and I am now trying SFG. This time I am reading everything I can to determine the best way to plant and the varieties of the different veggies to plant. I decided a new "soil less" soil was the way to go.

Okay, I must've misunderstood; sorry about that! Strange, I wonder why it's hotter there than down here...more asphalt or something?

I assume the GA clay is about like Carolina clay, red with iron and more like a sealed vessel than anything that percolates. No good for growing much of anything right? Except maybe the bugs and weeds you don't want.

ericam 4/14/2012, 7:49 pm

I've been away for a few days and had my son's birthday yesterday so I haven't had a chance to plant my carrots yet. But it's a beautiful day today so I'll be mixing some more MM, filling the top hat and planting!

Goosegirl 4/14/2012, 7:56 pm

I worked on my compost pile today so I can get the compost added to my future carrot squares. Ran out of steam and muscle, had to come in and take a hot bath! Planting will have to wait untill tomorrow.....

GG

JennAndCompany 4/14/2012, 10:33 pm

My first post (I just found the forum last night)! I am SO excited to have found all of you and this great place about SFG!

My MM and squares have been ready for about two weeks and I have been eager to get things growing! So, Carrot Week is a perfect excuse to get my hands dirty.

I planted two squares of Scarlet Nantes this evening. I planted them in the same squares as my radishes. I read on the back of a carrot seed packet that you can plant radishes and carrots in the same spot, because the radishes will be done before the carrots get big enough to 'need' the entire space.

I am wondering if anyone has anyone tried this before? Did it work?

ericam 4/14/2012, 10:52 pm

Mixing more MM...

Carrot Week 2012! - Page 2 69572d32

Top hat filled and carrot seeds planted!

Carrot Week 2012! - Page 2 73bdaacd

**RoOsTeR** 4/14/2012, 11:11 pm

Welcome JennAndCompany Carrot Week 2012! - Page 2 3170584802

Good luck with your carrots and thanks for participating.

Looks great ericam! Thanks for participating Carrot Week 2012! - Page 2 3170584802

AvaDGardner 4/15/2012, 12:10 am

JennAndCompany wrote:My first post (I just found the forum last night)! I am SO excited to have found all of you and this great place about SFG!

My MM and squares have been ready for about two weeks and I have been eager to get things growing! So, Carrot Week is a perfect excuse to get my hands dirty.

I planted two squares of Scarlet Nantes this evening. I planted them in the same squares as my radishes. I read on the back of a carrot seed packet that you can plant radishes and carrots in the same spot, because the radishes will be done before the carrots get big enough to 'need' the entire space.

I am wondering if anyone has anyone tried this before? Did it work?

Jenn! What is that in your avatar?

What a cool idea to save space! I've not had that instruction on my seeds. Does it matter if the radishes are round or icicles?

The only thing I can think of is pulling the radish would disturb the roots of the carrot. But maybe it would be anchored enough.

I have certainly replanted 'pulled to early' plants from many types. When my first round of carrots were mere thin blades of grass, my DD weeded them. We immediately replanted, and now they are about 4" high with frilly carrot-looking leaves.

Next time I plant carrots, I'll try it with the radishes! Let us know how your's does, too.

Ava

**jamesindetroit** 4/15/2012, 12:21 am

I'm in. Planted my carrots in a planter, going for depth here folks, lookout. I seem to be prejudice about carrots in my TT's. Don't know why! I'll tell you when I figure it out...

**RoOsTeR** 4/15/2012, 10:21 am

Looks great James! Thanks for the pictures and for participating. I look forward to seeing your results!
You've also got great taste for your carrot selection Razz

I Got my Carrot Week box planted yesterday. My box is almost 3' long and around 9" wide, with a plywood bottom drilled for drainage. It's 7" deep so with the MM settled in, it's right at a 6" depth Very Happy

I marked my box in 1" increments (just cause that's how I am) and used a ruler to mark my soil. I got the idea of scoring my mix from a post by camprn:

Carrot Week 2012! - Page 2 IMAG0010

We are having some chilly weather here in Colorado, so I covered my box for now. I can easily move it inside if the weather gets to bad Carrot Week 2012! - Page 2 3170584802

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