CARROT

Sow seeds thinly, 1cm deep, directly into pots or garden beds — carrots don’t like transplanting. Choose a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of light each day. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Germination is slow, usually around 2 weeks.

Once seedlings are up, thin them to about 5cm apart so each root has space to swell. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Carrots prefer even moisture, so avoid letting the soil completely dry out.

Feed every 4–6 weeks with Seed Folk fertiliser or a general-purpose liquid feed. If carrot tops start pushing above the soil, cover them lightly with compost to stop them turning green and bitter.

Carrots are ready to pull about 12 weeks after sowing. Harvest when roots are large enough to use. Pull what you need and leave the rest in the ground to keep growing.

Top Tip: Don’t waste the tops! Carrot leaves are edible — try them in salads, pesto, or sautéed with garlic.