Carrot Germination

[sandersj89]

I seem to some one who suffers from poor germination rates with carrots. I do all the usual things to help;

No manure
Well dug bed with a fine tilth
Sow fairly thinly in a drill half an inch deep
Keep the soil damp but not soaking wet until germination in 10 to 14 days
Sow when the soil is warm

But I have heavy soil so germination is a bit hit and miss.

3 weeks ago I sowed 3 rows, Early Nantes and Autumn King, as off last night germination is no better than 10% so they are a write off to all intents and purposes.

Therefore I have decided to try a new technique after a bit of research.

Prepare the seed bed as normal, using a draw how open a small trench a couple of inches deep and fill with general purpose compost.

Create a half inch drill in the compost and sow carrots as normal, cover with more compost.

The idea being that the seeds have perfect growing conditions to germinate and make a good start.

Anyone else tried this or have any thoughts to help improve the situation?

Thanks

Jerry

[sandersj89]

[sandersj89]

Oops,

Just seen the other thread on carrots and some of you do this method already.

Soory

[rotoman]

Soil will "pan over" in the case of heavy or sticky soils esp. after a dose of heavy rain carrot seedlings wont go that!
A thin line of potting compost will retain moisture better & keep the way open, I have used water gel crystals throw them in a bucket of good water & they will swell out absorbing massive amounts of water, use your own trial & error as to how much crystal per bucket etc.
Open up a decent large seed, water the bottom of the drill,  drop these swelled gel lumps along it, lightly cover, then sow seeds & completely cover to usual carrot seed depth.
I have also used the pre-germination method, start carrot seed off in dark warm place on wet blotting paper, mix non fungicidal wallpaper paste, mix carrot seedlings in it & squirt them along the row from a poly bag with the corner cut off, worked well mid summer when hot!
I never thin carrots without using the thinnings :- sow reasonably thickly, work the soil well along the rows with cultivating five prong tool to keep weeds from establishing, drawing the soil onto the carrots hiding root top when larger deters fly, I never spray or cover, yes I get some fly but not excessive, I water with seeping hose method & get good heavy crops.
Recommend Flak by Van Hage seeds super reliable large carrot.

[wardy]

Jerry   I've done mine like you with the compost but still no carrots yet.  I live in hope as I am an eternal optimist  :)  I planted beetroots and spring onions in the same way and the beets are showing already. 

[raisedbedted]

Theres an interesting piece in Junes KG about a chap who is the gardener at a national trust place in Lincolnshire.

He advocates something similar, ie the trench method, watering the bottom of the trench really thoroughly then putting in seeds and friable soil / compost.

The veg gardens pictured made me green with envy, matching my plot which is green with couch!

Adrian

[sandersj89]

Give it a bit more time Wardy, 3 to 4 weeks to be sure.

It has not failed me this year, nearly all my carrots are up and going along nicely, parsnips also just showing signs of life.

Jerry

[wardy]

Not fleeced them yet Jerry :(  It kept blowing all over the place so I cut it into thirds to make it easier to handle and cut it too small  doh  ???

It's been very cold here for the past couple of day, and this morning, so I'm not surprised they've not germinated.  My plotty neighbour's are up but he sowed his a week before me.  He sowed some with a french name.  Mine are the Parmex type (again a french sounding variety)

I shall be really disappointed if I don't get any  :)

[redimp]

I have just discovered that fleece rips a lot easier when it is wet.