Hard carrot cores

[adekun]

In the past I have met little success in growing carrots but have persevered nevertheless. In the past I've managed just enough for a few carrot cakes and chilli sauce, it took twice as many and a lot of prep work. Lifting a few of the current lot is even worse. The cores are very hard; cutting down the side I can off peel the outer. I don’t think there is anything I can do to save them from the compost bin. Anyone had similar troubles? I think I need to get a load of compost in the bed a season or two beforehand and look to make some sort of liquid feed.

[Wombat]

Hey mate!

Years ago I have problems with woody carrot cores in old carrots but all the fresh carrots I've grown haven't had this problem.

sorry!

Nev

[adekun]

Hi Nev, sashiburi.
It makes sense. They've been in too long. I thought that maybe they might start plumping up after a slow start. I was probably a bit to frugal beforehand trying to avoid them forking. I haven't bothered giving them anything since. Incidentally a few onions (again looking a bit sorry) got a bit of the compost I was flinging around elsewhere. A few weeks later they are bigger a greener than the rest. Perhaps worth another try.
Thanks, Adrian

[Wombat]

Hi Nev, sashiburi.
It makes sense. They've been in too long. I thought that maybe they might start plumping up after a slow start. I was probably a bit to frugal beforehand trying to avoid them forking. I haven't bothered giving them anything since. Incidentally a few onions (again looking a bit sorry) got a bit of the compost I was flinging around elsewhere. A few weeks later they are bigger a greener than the rest. Perhaps worth another try.
Thanks, Adrian

Sounds like a plan, Adrian!

Contrary to popular belief, I have not found compost etc causes carrots to fork, some seem to do it no matter what I do but most are OK. What I have found is that too much nitrogen results in biiig tops and small carrots

[adekun]

The first point is useful, and the last...

What I have found is that too much nitrogen results in biiig tops and small carrots.

...sounds about right. I WILL grow big carrots. Back to the drawing board.

[Wombat]

I Like the new avatar mate!

Nev

[adekun]

I've since had the pleasure; only the other week got plough a couple of rice fields. Almost blind with hay fever though.
The pic was taken last September. If you're interested there's a bit more on my inekari post. My wife usually manages pictures of my backside whilst I weed.

[Wombat]

Nice Blog mate, and nice piccies too!

The rice harvesting pics are interesting!

Nev

[Millymollymandy]

Hi adekun - yep I've had the same thing with old carrots. I'm surprised yours are still OK though - mine turned to orange blancmange about February when I was trying to dig them out!

[adekun]

Thanks you two. This afternoon, in the rain, they got yanked out. The roots are in the compost bin and the tops scattered about.
I only spotted two that had forked. I suppose I should be thankful that they had no damage, mould or splits etc. Worth another go, I guess you will MMM.
Out of interest, with a couple of incisions and a twist I carried out a brief vegetable autopsy.

[Millymollymandy]

Great photos! Yes they are looking a bit past it now!

I am going to grow fewer carrots this year because I get root fly!