depth of carrots

auntij 4/7/2010, 3:47 pm

Ok I know carrots should be in a deeper box but do you think it would be ok to put some in 6" deep squares? I am working on getting our root boxes set up/ built but would like to get some carrots in the ground and have 3 empty squares in my 4'x12' box. Would I just end up with very length challenged carrots? Any ideas/advice would be appreciated.

nancy 4/7/2010, 3:59 pm

Have you already bought your seeds? There are some great varieties out there that will do very well in 6". I think mine are supposed to get to 6". Next I want to try some that get round instead of long.

Best wishes!
n.

boffer 4/7/2010, 4:09 pm

Carrots will grow fine in a six inch box. Mel has written of finding carrots that reach the plywood bottom of a box, making a 90 degree turn, and continuing to grow sideways! I believe him, but I've not seen one of those yet.

Just before the old forum ended, Ward posted a chart of carrot varieties and a picture of their typical lengths, from baby fingers to 12 inchers.

Perhaps he still has it, and can re-post.

Jiro 4/7/2010, 8:32 pm

Harvest them early for baby carrots. That's my plan for my scarlet nantes.

**WardinWake** 4/7/2010, 9:07 pm

boffer wrote:Carrots will grow fine in a six inch box. Mel has written of finding carrots that reach the plywood bottom of a box, making a 90 degree turn, and continuing to grow sideways! I believe him, but I've not seen one of those yet.

Just before the old forum ended, Ward posted a chart of carrot varieties and a picture of their typical lengths, from baby fingers to 12 inchers.

Perhaps he still has it, and can re-post.

Sorry guys. Because posts on forums never disappear depth of carrots Affraid

I did not keep a copy. Maybe I can find where I researched the varieties and recreate the post.

God Bless, Ward.

ayanefan 4/7/2010, 10:54 pm

You don't need to do regular carrots, you can go for the fun stuff!! My daughter absolutely, positively, without prejudice wanted a ball carrot. Well, it wasn't long until I stumbled on these...

http://www.suttons.co.uk/Shop/Vegetable+Seeds/Carrot+Parmex+Seeds+157564.htm?sku=157564

There are a few other varieties, I believe McKenzie and Vessey seeds have them too. I saw one seed at Walmart that is targeted towards kids, they have some funny designs on the package too.

I know Mel was, and still is, confronted with that question, 6 inch box for 12 inch carrots. He basically said to not limit yourself to one kind of carrot. Have fun with your garden and plant shorter carrots in more boxes.

SirTravers 4/7/2010, 11:20 pm

I think it would be fun to have several medium to short length carrots and parsnips growing. Funny veggies like that always make the kids laugh when you pull them up.

auntij 4/7/2010, 11:30 pm

I absolutely LOVE the round carrot idea!! Would you still plant them 16 per square (I looked them up but didn't see spacing on them). I may have to go on a hunt for carrots now. I have a variety pack with all different colors, but it says nothing about shapes and sizes.

quiltbea 4/8/2010, 7:42 pm

You can get the shorter varieties or you can grow the regular but harvest them while they are still young and not too long.
They taste ever so good....
depth of carrots 10-05-10

These were grown in 12" beds but some are naturally shorter....the Napoli grow 7-8" but you can pull them sooner.

**Josh** 4/8/2010, 8:07 pm

I'm trying some world record variety Giant carrot. It says they get 14 inches, I'm using Mel's high rise method.
Here is a neat link to the carrot museum.
http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/varietyphotos.html

titans01 4/8/2010, 8:19 pm

Quiltbea,

That's some pretty carrots. Can't wait to grow my own.

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