Colours, shapes, taste, and smells are some of the joys of growing an organic garden. The certified organic seeds grown by Stellar Seeds are selected to offer the best of all these qualities. Stellar seeds are open-pollinated, grown in British Columbia, and farmed using holistic practices that maximize soil health and promote biodiversity.
Nantes Coreless Carrots are excellent for home or market growing. The Orange roots are 5cm at shoulder, taper to a blunt tip and grow 20cm long. Strong tops make for easy picking and good bunching. This is a sweet and flavorful carrot that stores well.
Prior to planting carrot seeds, work the soil deeply and remove any rocks/debris that may impede the downward formation of the roots. Sow seeds very thinly, about 1/4 inch deep. Cover them with a fine garden soil. Or sprinkle them on top of the soil, and lightly water them into the soil. Space rows 1-1.5 feet apart. Thin the seedlings before crowding impairs their growth. After seeds have germinated, thin to two inches apart. Keep carrots well weeded early in the season. They are easily overcrowded, with any competing weeds usually winning out. Carrots need a good supply of water, in soil that drains well. Mark rows well, as carrots take a long time to germinate. Carrot roots generally take 65 to 75 days to reach maturity, depending on variety.
Seed Saving Tips
The carrot family cross-pollinates very easily, including with Queen Anne’s Lace and wild carrot. Carrots can exhibit severe inbreeding depression, so save and mix seed from at least forty different carrot plants of the same variety. Do not save seed from any plant with white roots or where the root looks deformed.
Carrots must overwinter in the ground before setting seed (vernalization), so mulch in late fall and remove mulch in spring. Finger-sized carrots survive better than large carrots. Alternatively, you can bring carrots in and store them overwinter and then plant again in the spring.
Save seed from the first and second flower heads (umbels), which will have the largest and heartiest seed. Cut umbels when they begin to dry, turning brown. They can be further dried inside. Small amounts of seed can be collected by rubbing dried umbels between hands or picking off seeds. Carrot seed is naturally hairy or “bearded”. Pick out non-seed debris, or screen and winnow larger amounts of seed.
Store seed somewhere cool and dry in an airtight jar, paper bag or plastic bag if seed is fully dry. Seed should give good germination for three years. Remember to label with the variety and date.
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