Your comments and tips

02 Feb 19, Anne (New Zealand - temperate climate)

can i still grow carrot seeds now early February thanks

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08 Jun 17, Shane Cave (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Nematodes are ruining my carrots, what can I do?

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09 Jun 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Short of sterilising the soil (not recommended) you have a number of options. Crop rotation is you first option; by doing this you will be breaking the cycle of these pests. Plant nematode-resistant varieties; this is not so easy as seed will probably only be available from commercial seed companies. Plant marigolds in the season before your carrots: the pungent smelling marigold roots give off a substance that will deter nematodes. In some South-East Asian countries villagers do this to protect their vegetables, linking the gold flower to Buddha who is said to be protecting their crops. Trust this helps/

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09 Oct 17, Leigh (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

My aunty swore by growing carrots in sand, I tried it by pouring sand into the hole at planting time, I didn't have any problems( it could have been beginers luck, am trying again this year in a different spot in the garden). That said I don't know if this was to deter nematodes or carrot rustfly/ or eelworms. Good luck

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03 Apr 17, Catherine (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Thank you. My soil is very free draining and deep as it is on a hill and has sands with it. I will plant next season's carrots where this season's peas were.

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28 Mar 17, Kate (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

I sow carrots every year but since living near the sea most of my biggest carrots split. I can make soup of the split carrots as they are tender but that is all. I do not put them in manured areas although I generally have grown a green crop in the winter and have it well dug in before I sow. Should I save an area from the green crop?

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30 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)

Splitting carrots in fruit and vegetables is generally an indicator of too much water suddenly. The skin of the fruit or vegetable that is affected can't handle the increase in water intake and will split. I have seen tomatoes, carrots, apricots, capsicums and oranges affected. In your location extra rainfall can't be controlled so ensure that drainage is good. Fresh manure causes forked and twisted roots as the decomposers working on the manure can damage the growing root tip causing it to fork. A leaf crop followed by a fruit crop (beans, tomatoes, etc) then a root crop is a good rule of thumb to follow.

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06 Feb 17, mark (New Zealand - temperate climate)

tried to grow carrots for 2 seasons now i doen take off. carrots only size of my small finger as the biggest of the crop.how can i fix it?

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07 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

There are a number of reasons why your carrots are small. Carrots like deep friable (loose and fine) soil so if it is only shallow try and dig it deeper and break it up. They also do not like too much nitrogen in the soil. If you have a lot of fresh manure they will grow big tops and small carrots. If your soil is shallow and has clay close to the surface plant the round varieties and eat them when they are golf ball size. Maybe they are not getting enough water. I suggest you think about all these things and also make sure to plant the right variety for the time of year. I'm sorry I can't help you more but trust these suggestions help. All the best for your next crop!

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01 Dec 16, Elizabeth (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I have grown carrots successfully for years but my latest crop of young carrots are all white!!!! why

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