Page 29 - ALG Issue 4 2021

Water every 10-14 days in dry weather to keep them growing steadily and prevent the roots from splitting. Keep the hoeing between the rows to keep weeds to a minimum as they will compete with the carrots for light, water and nutrients. Carrots generally take up to 12 – 16 weeks to harvesting. Lift them carefully with a fork so you don’t damage them.
The carrot root fly can be a problem when growing carrots; it lays its eggs alongside the carrots where they hatch into maggots which eat into roots causing them to crack and become unusable. There are several methods that gardeners can use to combat carrot fly:
• Sow thinly to avoid crushing the seedlings when you thin out and attracting the attention of the carrot fly.
• Sow seed during mid–July because around this time of the year the carrot root fly ceases to be active. The yellow rooted varieties are considered to show some resistance to carrot root fly.
• Surround your carrots with a 60cm (2ft) high barrier or cover with horticultural fleece, such as Enviromesh.
Aphids may attack the soft tips and new leaves, sucking sap and producing honeydew that will encourage sooty moulds. Squash the pests with your fingers.
*Many thanks to John Stolarczyk for his kind permission to use http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/finaljournal.pdf as source material for the historical part of this article. His website www. carrotmuseum.com contains many interesting facts and figures about the carrot. ** http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/ carrotgenome.html
Don't forget your Member Offers
on the
NAS website
Your savings, benefits and discounts
www.nsalg.org.uk/join-us/current- member-discounts/
The NAS are pleased to be able to provide our members with an extensive range of discounts and offers. Special deals have been negotiated on your behalf so that YOU can save money on growing your own fruit and veg on your allotment or garden.
Be sure to print out and distribute to your fellow members or include on your Society website, and spread the word!
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 29
LOOK OUT FOR THE AUTUMN
/ WINTER OFFERS NOW LIVE!