The recent cool weather is proof autumn is really here. Choices for garden crops are limited to those which will handle the anticipated lower thermometer readings.
Since carrots are a cool season crop in panhandle Florida, they can be planted now or as late as the early spring.
Carrots are a root crop, and they grow well in the same cool weather and horticultural environment as other root crops such as turnips, radishes, beets, parsnips and rutabagas.
Carrots have been grown worldwide for more than 2000 years, originating in Europe and southwestern Asia. This crop is grown for its sweet, crunchy roots.
Orange carrots are the most commonly encountered, but this root vegetable has cultivars which are white, yellow and purple. The color preference notwithstanding, this versatile vegetable can be planted in north Florida gardens now for harvest after the new year arrives.
Growing carrots is easy and takes up a very small space if planted 2 inches apart. Soil preparation is very important as they grow well in deep, loose soil.
Soil test analysis is helpful before planting any crop, with a good pH for carrots at 6 to 6.5. Urea nitrogen applied at ¾ cup per 100 square feet will help, applying half when preparing the bed and half as side dressing after germination.
The seedlings must be thinned after the germination to let the taproots develop. They must not be transplanted or the roots will fork.
Appropriate watering is critical as root crops need at least one inch of rainfall or irrigation once a week. Always saturate the soil thoroughly when watering as this helps to encourage root growth.
Light watering is not good for root crops as it promotes shallow root growth and can stress a carrot’s deep-growing roots. Do not expose the carrot’s taproot to sunlight and cover exposed roots as they will turn green.
Carrots are full of nutrients. The benefits are so many that people should include them in their daily diet not only to develop a healthy lifestyle but to inhibit various diseases.
These colorful roots are sweet and healthy with their taproots packed with antioxidants and vitamin A but with only 41 calories for every 100 grams. Vitamin A and beta-carotenes help prevent mouth and lung cancer.
Fresh carrots also contain vitamin C and B-complex Vitamins necessary for increased metabolism.
For that style conscious consumer, these roots are not only orange in color but can also be purple, red, white and yellow. These roots are used in salads, cooked as meals and incorporated in drinks as well.
Carrots grow very slowly for a few weeks after the seeds are sown, so they cannot compete with weeds. It is very important that weeds should be pulled out. Shallow cultivation around the crop often will control the weeds. Carrots are close to the surface so it’s important not to cultivate deeply as that can damage the crop.
There are no major insect pests in Florida for carrots but there has always been a problem for most of the root crops from wireworms, cutworms and mole crickets. If there is a problem in the area you must treat the soil with soil insecticide before planting.
Disease can be a problem in cool and wet weather. The sign of the most common virus which attacks carrots is leaves mottled with yellow spots. This symptom can be treated with any recommended fungicide or neem oil.
Carrots are ready to be harvested in 70 to 80 days, but they can be harvested anytime they reach usable size. To harvest them, push the taproot side to side and then pull it out, cut off the green top and store carrots in a sealable bag in the refrigerator
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