Wisconsin Vegetable Gardening Calendar
In the first article in this series, we went over a foolproof way to sow seeds of carrot. The second stage showed how we can ensure that almost all actually germinated seeds we sow, and thus have a fighting chance to mature carrot plants healthy. We're now one step closer to our goal of growth a healthy crop of delicious organic carrots.
Within three to four weeks of the carrot seedlings should be one or two inches (2.5 to 5 cm) tall, and easily recognizable as carrot plants. If you have inter-sown radishes, will be about twice as high and close to maturity. Right now, the best thing for you to do is to keep the bed weed free carrot. Now, nobody likes to pull weeds (which you are imagining hacking away at groups of plants resistant weeds with a hoe, right?), but if you take my advice I guarantee you'll never have to cut resistant weeds in your garden again. The secret? Cultivate mulch use early and often, e. The pinch of weed seeds when they are small, they pull easily and never have a chance to grow strong. Ideally, you Carrot goes to visit her bed every day, at this stage, and although you will need less water, often nibbling weeds baby is the best in practice daily. Trust me, you'll be glad you did once the carrots become established and now dominate the ecological niche that you helped to occupy.
The second big trick to growing carrot plants healthy is to use mulch. The carrot is so good when young, mulching the beds carrot can be tricky. I use old hay, dry grass clippings or chopped leaves in my carrot beds, adding the material in stages as the carrots grow. The straw helps to retain water, eliminates weed seeds, and add organic matter to soil, 1,2,3 terrific punch!
The most common pests in gardens in carrots is the carrot fly. I'll defer comment on this because I never had a problem with them on more than ten years growth of carrots. My philosophy of pest control, supported by science, is that healthy plants will resist pests naturally. By feeding the soil, and making sure all my Garden Plants have as little stress as possible in their early days, I was able to keep pests at bay.
Carrots cultivated and cared for the way I have described eventually grow tall and free of competing weeds. Sit back and enjoy their fine foliage and beautiful, and pats on the back to help them reach that stage. Now it's just a matter of looking at the calendar, and looking for the harvest time. You are a big step toward reaping the fruits of growth of carrot plants healthy.
John C. Peterson grows carrots, fruits, poultry products and pastured lamb on his Wisconsin homestead. Want to learn more about growing your own food organically? Check this out: http://www.howtogroworganiccarrots.info/ Thank-you for your kind attention!