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Last year, I had a go at growing carrots in the old bath which had been left on the allotment when we took it on, and they came out really well, so we've used the same approach again this year. Growing them in the ground is a definite no no without some sort of barrier protection as they come out riddled with Carrot Root Fly, but elevating them, even a small amount, in the old bath seems to eradicate this problem. They haven't been covered at all and they've been given no other protection either. As you can see, they're good looking carrots. The only problem with growing them this way is that I'm never going to get a huge crop, but a small harvest is better than none at all. It was actually Hubby's job to deal with the carrots. He sowed a couple of varieties and now can't remember which were which, typical. He thinks these are Nantes. We've had a few meals from this first batch and the other variety are yet to be pulled. They're delicious. The rabbits, Sammy and Monty, love the lush, green carrot tops. They're being very well fed at the moment.
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I'd noticed lots more frogs in the garden this year. Hubby was cutting the grass on Monday night and loads of little tiny froglets started jumping about. He was very careful not to run the mower over anything that moved and repositioned them at the side of the pond. It's funny really because I never noticed any frogspawn in the little pond, I wonder where they've all come from.
It's quite dull and overcast here today, though it hasn't rained, yet. The better weather is due to return on Sunday, just in time for the bank holiday, and then we're supposed to have sunshine all next week. That will do me as Hubby has taken the week off work and we're hoping to have some days out as well as put some work in at the allotment. Will the forecasters have got it right though, that remains to be seen.
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I will keep my fingers crossed for the sun, we are on holiday as well. I only grow early carrots now, all in containers, the main crops are grown in abundance round here and I can pick up a bag of misshapen and big ones for pennies. I care not how they look as long as they taste good and cost around 50p for a 2 stone bag.
ReplyDeleteI do hope they've got it right and we get the sunshine back. I like home grown carrots, though I think it's the same with most things, they always taste better when you've grown them yourself.
DeleteYour experience with the carrots is exactly the same as mine. I shall be doing this as matter of course from now on. With limited space available I think it makes sense to grow the so-called "finger" varieties, and not big maincrop ones.
ReplyDeleteI just wish that I could grow more of them. I may look in to barrier protection in the future and have a go at growing in the ground again, but in the meantime, this is what's working for me. I've grown the round variety, Parmex, in the past, but I think that finger varieties are the best compromise.
DeleteWell done they look excellent. I have a few growing but will surprised if they're okay.
ReplyDeleteLucky you with all the froglets.
It's been sunny here, rain due tomorrow then a mix of sunshine and showers over the weekend. Let's hope that it is sunny next week, both there and here. Flighty xx
The thing with carrots is that you never know what they're going to be like until you pull them up. I'm so surprised about all the froglets. I've been hoping for frogspawn since we put the pond in but haven't seen any yet, so I'm happy we've got so many frogs. Perhaps they'll help with the slug population. I was surprised how today turned out, we've had a bit of sunshine and it's been really warm too, so I don't really mind the dull start to the day.
DeleteCarrots in a bath eh? How imaginative!
ReplyDeleteThey do look lovely and it's great you've beated the bugs. Now I need to see a pic of your rabbits....I do love rabbits!
Now I wonder where your froglets came from, how very mysterious. They are unbelievably small though aren't they....we have them pinging all over the place too.xxxx
We wondered what to do with the bath which had been left on the plot when we took it on, but we think we've solved our carrot growing problem now. I introduced the rabbits back in 2009, I think it's time for a reintroduction. Watch this space. The froglets as so so small, the cutest little things. I wonder if they'll spawn in my tiny pond next year.
DeleteI had to rescue a baby frog from the cold frame this week, it was trying to get out and constantly sliding back down the glass! There are newts in there too. Where they come from I've no idea.
ReplyDeleteMost impressed with the carrots! You've given me an idea, especially as I only need small quantities, they'd just be for me.
The froglets are all over the place, you can hear them plopping in to the pond. I haven't seen any newts though. I'm really pleased with the carrots, a small quantity is better than none at all.
DeleteI'd love to see your rabbits too! Well done on growing the carrots, I always fail dismally at carrots for some reason. Such a shame as we eat hundreds. How fantastic to have lots of little frogs.
ReplyDeleteI must organise a post about the rabbits. Carrots are a favourite of my son and daughter so we could really do with growing more than we do, but every little helps.
DeleteYour carrots look most tasty Jo. Must remember to sow some next year. I came across two frogs at the allotment yesterday. One of them had a nasty shock. It must have been disturbed by me weeding and suddenly emerged from nowhere it seemed completely covered with soil :( Gave me a start too.
ReplyDeleteI think like most home grown veg, they taste better than shop bought. We have frogs at the plot too, especially in between the strawberry plants.
DeleteWe have lots of frogs in the garden and frogs, toads and newts on the plot. I can be sitting on the grass weeding and a toad will lazily crawl over my foot totally unconcerned.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen so many frogs in the garden, yet we didn't have any frogspawn so I don't know where they've all come from. The frogs on the plot tend to jump when disturbed, making me jump too.
DeleteThose carrots look really good. I might have to start photoshopping mine to improve their looks.
ReplyDeleteThey've turned out so well, no damage to them at all. I don't know if it's just luck or that the elevated position is definitely helping. Perhaps a bit of both.
DeleteThose carrots look lovely, I wont have the luxury of a spare greenhouse next year for mine. I will be growing them in tubs with fleece covering them for extra protection.
ReplyDeleteThey tasted delicious too. They've always done well for me in containers so I hope yours are just as successful.
DeleteCarrots are one of the vegetables that my husband has no success with whether in the ground or in a pot.They turn out very small and distorted. Yours look great and must be delicious! There's nothing like the taste of freshly picked carrots.
ReplyDeleteI think carrots are many people's nemesis. A few are better than none at all, so I think I'll continue to grow them in the old bath for now.
DeleteNice looking carrots Jo, not easy to grow and I only tend to have a few to eat each year.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased with how they've turned out. I'll definitely grow them this way again next year.
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