When we took on the allotment Bill would tell me of the heartbreak he has suffered trying to grow carrots. Never had he managed to get one to stay true and straight for more than an inch, they would fork and tie them in selves in knots, Mother even tells of one that had grown into a granny knot.
So with a knowing smile Bill challenged me to grow a straight carrot at least 2 inches long. I think he was sure I would fail, he has tried so many ways to get them to grow straight without success, a newbie like me was unlikely to manage it.
Being up for a challenge I did my research and picked a method. Having so little of the allotments dug and because I wanted to control the composition of the soil I decided to grow them in plastic tubs.
Carrots apparently have a tendency to fork in soils that are rich in manure, so even in the future with the beds dug and ready I would not want to plant them in the ground, as manure will be a major of our soil improvement and feeding.
So into my two tubs I emptied a few grow bags and planted my seeds. Carefully I watered and cared for them and this weekend we pulled the first carrots to see how they they where doing, where they straight?
The answer is yes! I grew straight carrots! I am so proud. The look on Bills face was priceless, a mixture or envy and pride. Envy because I had managed to do in my first year, something that had eluded him for years. And pride because I have learnt so much since we started, he seems to be disproportional surprised with me, that I listen, learn and repeat so easily, I am sure it is because he is a good teacher, or has low standards.
We only picked a few and will leave the rest to get a little bigger. Tonight the few we did harvest will be part of my dinner along with some dwarf green beans we also picked. Yum.
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