Hi, was wondering if someone could help me.

I have sown the Chantenay Red Cored 2 variety of carrots, and the seedlings have emerged; they are in there growing position. As you are probably aware, these are a short rooted variety.

My question: the carrots haven’t opened there first leaves yet, should I thin them out now; or as my Dad said to me; wait a bit until you can eat the thinning. I know about carrot fly problems. Should I do as my Dad says, or just get rid of the unnecessary ones now before they are overcrowded, and not eat them?



Be grateful for any help.

David

I think patience is the order of the day here, I would go along with your dads suggestion, not that you would be wrong in doing what you say.

The thought that comes into my mind is; on removing the surplus you disturb the soil around the plants you intend keeping, meaning you would have to water in the loose soil around them, this may wash out other seedlings, but most of all you will chill the ground, just as it is beginning to warm up.

If I didn't want to eat the thinnings (and these are very tasty) I would wait until the plants are 3"-4" high before thinning them or just before the onset of the carrot fly season.

Click on these urls to see how I grow mine;


http://thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Carrot.htm

http://thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Mis...rrot%20fly.htm