Potty about Carrots by Debbie Cooke

I have taken this practice on board and just for fun, to amuse the children, have even grown them in wellies.

Why would anyone with land want to grow anything in pots? I hear you cry.

Well the obvious benefit is that you can control the soil conditions. For anyone who gardens on clay or stony ground you will appreciate the challenges faced when trying to grow decent root vegetables particularly carrots, unless you have spent a great deal of effort improving the soil.

Fill your pots with fresh compost, sow the seed thinly and keep well watered.

Another benefit of growing carrots in pots is mobility. I believe low flying female carrot flies only fly about 45cm (18in) above ground, so you can scupper her plans by placing your pots on a table or shelf.

If you go for the wellie option, make slits above the sole for drainage, you may also need to put something structural in the ankle of the boot to stop it bending. Wellies might even be high enough to avoid low flying carrot flies.

As pots are so mobile, you can bring them in to tunnels and greenhouses, providing you with a fresh supply of carrots throughout the year.

I ‘m not sure about growing prize winning carrots in pots, this is probably not the way to go, or perhaps it is, but for a good harvest to keep the family happy it works well.