C is for Carrots

Spring, a great time to plant carrots. And the only way to grow carrots is by planting seeds. Here are a few ideas to help you get off to a good start. #carrots #howtogrowcarrots #organicgardening 📫 Like to sponsor my next video? Let me know here. ssjdmb@hotmail.com 📫 Got a question or suggestion? Let me know here. ssjdmb@hotmail.com Below is a copy and paste from garden.passion_ig on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/garden.pass... A) Avoid transplanting . B) Sow seed directly in the soil . C) Provide a rock and clay free soil . D) Provide a soft light soil enriched with mineralised organic matter . E) Eliminate obstacles in the soil. Carrots are selfish, greedy and unsociable. They want the soil all to themselves and do not want competition or obstacles. They want to grow fast without hindrance. Any slight disturbance as they dig deeper into the topsoil makes them very very angry . F) Ensure the growing medium is very deep. Any stress or space restrictions experienced by the taproot as it grows vertically will cause immediate deformity . G) Avoid heavy or high-pressure watering until at least they’ve reached a strong seedling stage. Overzealous watering prior to germination is one good reason to displace the volatile seeds and cause them to grow very close to each other . H) Protect the growing medium from animals and birds digging or foraging in the soil. Carrot seeds are notoriously slow to germinate and often they end up displaced growing anywhere bar the position you had initially planned or intended for . I) Give it room to grow. If possible, isolate one seed. You can alternatively create trenches and sprinkle a sand-filled container containing the carrot seeds but you will still probably need to thin them out later as they grow . 💘 Follow @garden.passion_ig for more 😉

Paris Market Baby Carrots update

Growing carrots in a pot.

While I was up at the Qld Gardening Expo my Mum suggested to me that I do a few stories on growing veggies in pots.

So here's the first of many as there's heaps of veggies that you can grow in pots.

I need to find a good potting mix though.

So far most mixes I've used I've found wanting in a few departments.

Anyway, this is about as easy as growing veggies gets, so why not have a go?



Cheers and happy growing veggies in pots

Stewart

Today/tomorrow

Stiff, sore and exhausted. Been digging and clearing all day so I can plant seeds all day tomorrow. 

After months and months of neglect it's starting to look like a backyard again.

Carrots, beans, tomato, spring onions, lettuce, basil and something else I can't remember right now all on the to plant list for tomorrow. Only managed to sow some Great Lakes lettuce today.

Still want to get a bed ready for some Sweet Corn so as soon as I get all those planted that will be priority #1. 

29° tomorrow and 33° on Wednesday, though, hot and dry too, not great seed planting weather.


 Damn the compost is full too. Need another Gedye Bin.

Anywho, 'till next time, happy gardening

Stewart.

Purple dutch carrot progress.

 Good news trendsetters, after running a cleanup program on my PC and almost killing my modem I'm now back online.

And even more good news my fellow veggie fiends, 80mm of rain here overnight and I swear I can hear the veggies giggling with glee.

In the beginning

Apart from all the good news above the reason I'm here is to show you this, ta-dah. Yep you guessed it, this is how much the 'purple dutch' carrot has grown since I brought it home from the supermarket and planted it, to see if it would do what it is doing, back in August. Go here to check out the beginning.

It has grown a flower stalk about 60/70cm tall and has started forming flower buds.

I can hardly wait for the seed to ripen so I can have a go at growing my own. It will still take a while from here but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

 Nice seed head

s forming

One thing about carrot foliage is it's green.

You're not going to believe this. (Carrot jam)

Cooking the 450g of carrots

Cooked carrots with 350g of castor sugar added

Carrot jam, yes you heard (read) me right, carrot jam. You see I was visiting my favorite life line 2nd hand bookstore the other day (last Friday I think) when I came across this little booklet called "The Complete Carrot" and inside is a recipe for Carrot jam. So being the experimentalist that I am I just had to give it a go. So I bought the booklet, a whole 80c mind you, and into the kitchen I went.

Here is how it is written up in the booklet.

Carrot Jam
Carrots will make a very sweet jam (that's no understatement there). It is unlike fruit jams, but is cheap, easy to make and has an interesting flavour.

1 lb/450 g carrots
3/4 lb/350 g granulated sugar
2 lemons
pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg
flaked almonds (I missed out on the almonds 'cos I didn't have any)

Boil carrots till tender and mash to a pulp (I also used my stick blender to get a finer texture, be careful not to spray it all over the walls of your kitchen). Put in a heavy saucepan and boil with sugar for about 10 mins until mixture becomes thick.


Remove from heat and cool. Then add the grated rind and juice of two lemons, a pinch of cloves or  nutmeg and some flaked almonds. A little drop of brandy gives added flavour.

Carrot jam on toast

 How does it taste?

Verdict! With the juice and rind of two lemons, sugar and a pinch of ground cloves in it it tastes more like lemon butter with a slight hint of carrot. But seeing as I like lemon butter and carrots I think it's great. And it might just be good for your eye sight (where did I but my glasses again?)




Cheers

Stewart

Here's something different.

Here is something I tried but never thought would work.

You see I've known for ages that you can bung an onion back into the soil after it has been harvested and stored and it will start growing again and go on to produce viable seed.

So when I came home from the supermarket with a hand full of purple dutch carrots I had a flash of inspiration and thought to myself, 'I wonder if I bung a couple of these back into the soil if they would start growing again and go on to produce viable seed?'

So I bunged them into the soil never expecting anything to happen except for them to go rotten in the ground.

These are carrots that were harvested I don't know how long ago and they have been kept in cold storage for I don't know how long hence my low expectations. But as you can see from the photo this is the result about four or five (I didn't make a note of when I planted them) weeks later and they are looking like they will go on to produce seed which I'll then use to plant more of these yummy carrots.

For me all I can say is if you don't know if something will or won't work at least give it a go and see what happens, you might be surprised like I have been.

If you stumble across this post then you can click here for a progress report.


Cheers and here's to heaps of purple dutch carrot seeds,

Stewart.

So much for a come back

So much for a come back. 
My taxi's owner has been crook for the last few days and I've been picking up the extra hours in the cab, which means no spare computer or garden time for me. Oh well maybe next week.

In the meantime a super quick update. We've had 70mls of rain over the last two days so the veggie garden is very happy right now. Also some carrot and golden beetroot seed I planted only last Sunday has sprouted. Can't beat good soaking rain for bring up seed.


Anyhow I'd better get back in the cab and hopefully I'll get Sunday arvo in the garden.

Cheers

Stewart.

The week that was.

A mixed week for my veggie garden. The weather has been varied ranging from plesant to showers, rain (10/12mm) and even warm (22C) for this time of the year.

Ordered and received

I placed an order with Green Harvest (my favorite online mail order company) on late Wednesday and to my surprise it arrived Friday lunch time (damn they are good).
Included in the order was;

• Potatoes; Ruby Lou 1kg
• Lupin
• Lucerne Sequel
• Tomato Oxheart
• Tumeric Madras
• Rhubarb Ever Red
  

Planted

• Rhubarb Ever Red
• Lupin
• Tumeric
• Carrots
• Radish
• Leek
• Potatoes
• Garlic

Sprouted

• Spring onions (just)
• Beetroot

Growing

• Strawberries are flowering
• Self sown wheat has seed heads maturing
• Radish are getting there.
• Peas are a bit slow but getting there
• Self sown potatoes are powering along. Must remember to plant my seed potatoes earlier next year. They seem to like the early start.
  

Chooks

• Still 2/3 eggs a day.

That's was the week that is from the veggie garden this week;

Cheers and happy gardening

Stewart

Nevele

Nevele/eleven

Walkies again this morning, but nothing as extravagant as yesterday.

Just around the big block to walk out some stiffness from yesterdays epic.

I found this nice reference to the number eleven while I was out so I took a photo and now here it is.






Stuart and Mabel street will mean nothing to anyone. It's just a photo I took to show I was there.













Oops, looks like it's the end of the road for me, but fear not fair maiden, for I have a plan.....umm, what was the plan again???

Ok so this is the top of North street that I refer too from time to time. And yes it is as steep as it looks.

As for the veggie garden we have rain predicted here for tomorrow and I am hoping it will hold off long enough for me to prepare for and plant (direct sow) some carrot, cabbage, cauliflower and brocolli seeds before it sets in.

Cheers for now

Stewart.


P.S. Happy Valentines day.

And I know why he had his head chopped off.

The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in the Nuremberg Chronicle, (1493); alongside the woodcut portrait of Valentine the text states that he was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't finish him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. Various dates are given for the martyrdom or martyrdoms: 269, 270, or 273.^[8]

Seed viability

Hi all, I have to say the viability of the seeds I received from Veggie Gnome continues to astound me.
After just 10 days the Purple podded peas (see A Lovely Surprise) have erupted out of the soil like a space rocket, just incredible. There must be some good soil down their way or magic green thumbs.

As you can tell I don't have a trellis up yet so I'd better get cracking on that job in the next day or two.



Also making their way into the world are the Purple Dragon carrots.
They have come up like fleas on a dogs back so I'll be doing a little thinning in the next day or two as well.

I'm truly looking forward to tasting these guys so I'm hoping all goes well from here on.

On top of the strike rate of the lettuce 'Drunken woman' and 'Red leprechaun' that's about about a 1000% success.




I'm loving my Kohlrabi at the moment too, so I'm just putting up a photo to show you how they are going.

I'm thinking of slicing this one and frying it in some olive oil.

Bye for now and happy veggie gardening.
Stewart

A lovely surprise

When Veggie Gnome from The Mad Gnomes Strike Again won the This little piggy went to market competition she was kind enough to surprise me by sending back several packets of seeds.

Even more surprising was the seeds themselves.

Check out this list and a big thanks to Veggie Gnome.




1. Blue Podded Capucyner Peas.

I can't find much info about the Blue podded peas spelt Capucyner, but spelt Capucijner I found the following information.
(I guessing they are the same). Skippy's blog has a story on Blue podded peas as well.
'Blue Pod Capucijner' is an heirloom variety. It has particularly beautiful flowers, pink and red, fading to blue as they wilt. The pods are deep maroon which change to blue through the season. They are delicious when young, but turn leathery as they mature. Peas are hardy, weak-stemmed, climbing annuals. Custom has it that you can make a wish if you find a pea pod that has nine or more peas in it. Edible pea pods are grown the same way as sugar peas, just harvested much earlier, prior to filling out.




2. Carrot. 'purple dragon'
Botanical Name: Daucas carota.
Very nutritious vegetable originating from central Asia. This variety has a beautiful and unique purple-skin with amazing contrasting yellow-orange interior.










3. Red Orache

Atriplex hortensis is a member of the genus Atriplex and is commonly known as Red orache.

Interesting blog story on Red Orache here.




4. Lettuce 'red leprechaun'


Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
'Little Leprechaun' is a variegated Romaine lettuce with leaf colors from red to forest green. It is generally ready for harvest 75 days after sowing.

This gorgeous mahogany red and green romaine is small in stature and big on taste. Miniature heads are prime harvest size when only 7-8" tall, ideal for container culture and for serving individual main dish Caesar salad.



5. Lettuce 'drunken woman' (I see plenty of these on a Saturday night thanks) Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
Italian Heirloom. Attractive bright green leaves with ruffled almost frizzy edges in deep bronze. Leaf lettuce type with dense center that is very showy and slow to bolt.













6. Chinese Broad leaf celery.
Can't find any info on Chinese Broad leaf celery. Anyone care to help me out?

Cool list of plants huh, my only problem is that I've never grown any of them before.
Luckily I'm always up for a challenge and to be put on an interesting learning curve.

So far I have planted the peas, the two types of lettuce and the purple dragon carrots, the rest will have to wait until spring.
I'll keep you updated on the progress as they make their way to full grown veggies.


This is where I have planted the lettuce. That's four of each.

Easter Carrots, you know you want one.

Happy Easter everyone.












Time to hop on down and get your freshly grown Easter Carrots.

Go on, you know you want one, far better than all those chocolates eggs your going to eat.

Carrots Nutrition Facts

• Carrots are an important vegetable, and although they were known to the ancient Greeks and Romans, they were not introduced to Europe until the Middle Ages.

• The orange-colored taproot of the carrot contains a high concentration of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a substance that is converted to vitamin A in the human body. A 1/2 cup serving of cooked carrots contains four times the recommended daily intake of vitamin A in the form of protective beta-carotene.

• Beta-carotene is also a powerful antioxidant effective in fighting against some forms of cancer, especially lung cancer. Current research suggests that it may also protect against stroke, and heart disease. Research also shows that the beta-carotene in vegetables supplies this protection, not vitamin supplements.

• Carrots are also a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and manganese, and a good source of vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, iron, potassium and copper.

• Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked, but to obtain maximum benefit it is best to eat them raw.

Post Christmas Post. 1.

Hi all, I've just got my Five colour Silverbeet, Listada Di Gandia Eggplant, Rouge D'Hiver Cos Lettuce(red brown var.) and Red Iceberg planted out from their punnets so now I can do so post posting.


Christmas Day


Starting with my new camera that I got from Santa(aka me) so all photos from here on will be taken with my new da da Samsung S860. Except this one because I couldn't work out how to take a photo of the camera.





Once I worked out how to use it I've found it to be a good little camera.














Just staying with the veggie theme, here is a rundown of what the vg supplied for Christmas.


First was Christmas lunch which was a roast cooked by my lovely wife using the King Edward potato's I planted in September.

Now I've never grown these guys before and had no idea what to expect.
So when I dug the first few I was surprised to find they were coloured and lumpy or deep set eyes (see below).
Anyhow we just cleaned them up and roasted them skin and all and I've got to say that they were the best baked spuds I eaten for eons. (patting self on back again)





















Carrots, say no more yummm.
Roasted of course.















The next best vg surprise for me was the Lazy Housewife Beans which again are a first for me. I didn't particularly like them fresh off the vine when I tried them, but had hoped hey would cook up into a nice tasty bean, which, thankfully they did.









Here's the spoils before going into the kitchen.




More to come on the festive vg season then back to some more down to earth gardening.

Seeds of redemption

After the embarrassment of So, ya wanna' sow some seed do ya!!, I've been busy redeeming myself by getting it right for a while.
So it is that I can report some pretty successful seed raising results.

First cab off the rank is some of Mr. Fothergill's, Evesham Special, Brussels Sprouts. And how many did get to strike I hear you ask, well only 100% I say(patting myself on the back).

The Brussels Sprouts are flanked by the tomato's I planted at the same time as I did my So, ya wanna' sow some seed do ya!!
Just a note on Brussels Sprouts. I'm no expert on growing these and as of now I am still to produce a viable crop, but I keep planting these things earlier and earlier. My trusty, 'fruit & vegetable GARDENING in Australia', by The Royal Horticultural Society advises me to sow late Summer early Autumn, but I'm getting in ahead of recommended time. What I hoping is that planting seed now will mean the Brussels are forming in the coldest part of winter and not bolting or over producing leaf as they have in the past. So, watch this space.


Now as reported in So, ya wanna' sow some seed do ya!! update. #1 I had planted my digger's seeds into punnets, some Five colour Silverbeet, Listada Di Gandia Eggplant, Rouge D'Hiver Cos Lettuce(red brown var.) and Red Iceberg.

Apart from the Red Cos(3 from 5) I also had 100% strike(so far so good eh!)









Of the remaining seeds planted everything went very well also.

The first carrots to arrive were the Early Chantenay which after 10 days from sowing are doing exceedingly well.

Very happy Jan









Also doing well after a good strike rate are the Beetroot Chioggia which I'm dying to try.
















And last but not least the carrot Top Weight were a little sporadic but all came up and are a little slow compared to the Early Chantenay. The proof is in da eating as they say.

anyhow I hope these successes have helped me redeem myself and for now I'll just let myself feel fairly pleased with myself.






Just a photo of a happy lilium. A yellow one of course

So, ya wanna' sow some seed do ya!! update. #1

Link for the Original So, ya wanna' sow some seed do ya!!

Hi all,
I been avoiding this update due to the unmitigated failure of the seed to germinate.

It's not very clear in the photo(far left punnet) but I only had two out of six Cos lettuce seeds germinate.
Now I'm not going to blame myself because at the same time I planted up three punnets of three different Tomatoes with varying success, ie six from six, five from six and one from six.

So at this stage I'm going to blame the viability of the seed.

Now while I'm on the topic of seeds and planting I had a very productive day of seed planting yesterday.
First off was carrots of which I have not been that satisfied with the flavour of.
The current variety of carrot I've been growing is named 'All year round', so I planted two different variety's named Topweight and Early Chantenay to see if I can find a more flavorsome carrot.
If anyone has any suggestions for a more flavorsome carrot or a personal favorite, please let me know.

Also my digger's seeds arrived last week so I planted into punnets some Five colour Silverbeet, Listada Di Gandia Eggplant, Rouge D'Hiver Cos Lettuce(red brown var.) and Red Iceberg.

I also planted another couple of small rows of Beetroot Chioggia.

Baby carrot thinings

Just picked(pulled, lifted, thinned? whatever)!!

My carrots were overdue for thinning, but now I'm thinking steamed baby carrots for dinner.
I just need to work a meal around them.

I haven't had chicken for a while and I've got fresh beans, cabbage, beetroot and baby carrots of course.
ummmmh sounds good to me.
God I love gardening.

Just some going ons.

Progressive plantings of carrots. I have four short rows planted about 2/3 weeks apart and need to get another in the ground very soon.
I'd like some prospect of rainy weather as I find carrots shoot very easy in showery/rainy weather.













Beetroot now and then. Last photo right down the bottom















Turnip ready to eat. Anyone got some interesting recipes for turnip I can try?














Another flower. How did that get in here?

















Now and then.

Damn fine weather, but

Damn fine weather, but it's fairly warm and humid which is playing havoc with my peas. Cool misty nights and warm humid days are a perfect recipe for powdery mildew which I'll have to attend to.
Here's a photo of my tiny tom tomato's I transplanted today. They only just have their first set of true leaves on so I have put them into pots to grow on before I plant them into the garden proper..
I had a productive morning mulching/weeding and watering. I also planted this seasons first row of beans plus another two foot row of carrots.
The Sweet corn I planted has sprouted and a few more Chilli have come up.
I also planted another two cabbage in my secession planting goal. At the moment I should be able to have cabbage when I want it for the next three months without having any excess or waste.
Cheery bye.

Carrots have been planted.

Carrots have been planted.

I know I said I was going to plant on Monday, but on Monday the BoM were predicting showers and the chance of a storm for Wednesday.

I usually like to plant seeds when the weather is unstable and there is some humidity about because I find the soil stays moist longer and gives the newly planted seed a better chance. Also if we do get rain then there is nothing better to get things growing. I’m lead to believe there is dissolved Nitrogen in rain and this is why things grow so well after rain and even more so storm rain. Correct me if I’m misleading myself.