Eat your carrots and you will be able to see in the dark! We all grew up with this incentive from our parents when we were pushing carrots aside as children. I am not sure about the superpower of being able to see in the dark, but carrots have provided great benefits to the human body.
Carotene, the red pigment that gives carrots that distinctive bright orange colour, is converted by the human body in vitamin A. Vitamin A is a powerhouse for the healthy development and ongoing care of the eyes. Carrots are also loaded with carotene so that makes them a superhero vegetable.
Crunch Time – How to Grow Carrots
Easy to grow, carrots are a familiar repertoire for the urban gardeners. They are a rite of passage before challenging your land and your skills with other crops such as potatoes or Florence fennel.
Carrots are extensively farmed at commercial level and their abundance all year around and affordability make you wonder if you should allocate a patch of your prime real estate to this cultivation or just purchase it from your local supermarket. If you are keen to grow carrots, the soil must be prepared a few months before sowing. You need to ensure that friability and nutrients are locked in and ready to go. Soil must be dug at least 40cm deep and well-composted manure with organic matters must be included so there is no compacting effect. Carrots develop downward with a main root and several secondary capillary roots.
Weeding can be a nightmare around young carrot seedlings, so tilling several passages before sowing will discourage weed seeds. Young carrot seedlings do not agree well with transplanting so sowing seeds directly in situ is the only way.
Seeds are exceedingly small and should be located 5cm apart and 2cm deep. Not all seeds will germinate, so thinning will happen naturally. Full maturity will start after 3 months. Intercropping with onions is a great technique to maximise garden yield and keep pests at bay. It is said that the onion smell keeps away the carrot fly.
Harvest the entire crop once they are ready; while carrots can last into the ground for several months after maturity, excess water caused by rain may split their roots. Twist off the greenery and store carrots in a very cool environment without washing. If main-crop carrots sound daunting with the long harvesting time, you may want to give it a go with early cropping varieties, best suitable for warmer conditions and ready to harvest in 8-9 weeks. Early crop carrots do not store well and should be eaten as soon as they are pulled from your garden.
Tips to Grow Carrots
Maintain
Carrots like firm soil on the surface around them; loosening it will increases pest infestations and damage the carrot’s skin. Hoeing is out of question, so be prepared with patience, good knees and strong back for several sessions of hand weeding.
Harvest
Carrots should be ready for harvest about 60-80 days after sowing seeds, depending on the variety. The tops of the roots will be 2.5cm in diameter and likely starting to pop out of the soil, though not always. They will also be vibrant in colour.
Store
Carrots can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month. To avoid condensation, wrap the carrots in paper towels and place them in a bag in the refrigerator.
The Eyes Have It
Carrots are a good source of beta carotene, fibre, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. They’re a weight-loss-friendly food that have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved eye health.
Our Favourite Recipes Using Carrots
Honey Tarragon Carrots with Carrot Top Dressing and Burrata
Crispy Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi with Mint and Chilli Pickled Carrot
Carrot and Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
