Yesterday saw one of those magical "Eureka!" moments at the allotment, when I unearthed the first of the 'Yellowstone' carrots. I have been picking some little round 'Parmex' carrots for a while. These were sown into cells in the greenhouse and then transplanted. I sowed 'Yellowstone' though directly into the ground at the allotment. I grew them at the recommendation of The Pigtailed One, aka Bob Flowerdew during a talk we attended back in March. I sowed them sometime in May - as usual I wish I had kept accurate records. Apart from thinning out and the occasional watering I have left them to their own devices. Yesterday I had a delve around in the soul and tried to gently tug one out. Nothing happened - it was anchored firmly, so out came my trowel. The moment of truth - out from the soil emerged a veritable monster of a carrot, unblemished by the dreaded carrot fly. I have lived in trepidation of encountering this invisible creature, especially as I did not protect my carrots with fleece. I have had great fun imagining what a carrot fly looks like in my more idle moments at the lottie. However all was well and although I know that big is not always beautiful, especially when it comes to taste, I was so excited by my harvest.
Sadly there was nobody else around at the lottie for me to show them to at the time, so I just had to jump up and down with a smug look on my face - a sublime happy carrot moment. They were much admired though later in the morning by my plot neighbours - of course by then I had dug another one up. I have not grown carrots before so this could well be beginner's luck but oh respect Pigtailed One ! I only wish that my tomatoes were just as happy but there's a story for another day.
Hurray, hurrah, harroo! I've found carrots to be a rather troublesome crop, so I can well understand your excitement!
ReplyDeleteWell done, those are very nice looking carrots.
ReplyDeleteCongrats - my veg have been a complete disaster this year so I am really pleased that you have been successful.
ReplyDeleteA veritable carrot kick!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive. I have little success with carrots - I think the words erratic and disappointment were invented especially for them!
ReplyDeleteGosh what lovely big carrots and lovely coloured sweet peas.
ReplyDeleteThese are looking so good - mine are all bendy and odd, owing to trying to grow them in stony soil I think. Respect to your carrots (and the pigtailed one, who, say what you like about his hair, really does know his stuff!).
ReplyDeleteAnna, LOL, I often jump up and down with a smug look on my face in my own garden! The rest of the contents of the basket look good, too. Are those turnips to the right of the glorious carrots?
ReplyDeleteHi Anna~~ You are definitely a carrot grower. I've been purchasing bunches at the Farmers' Market and they are such a treat!
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