50+ Carrot Amsterdam Forcing 3 Seeds--- DAUCUS CAROTA---A021

50 (A021) Carrot Amsterdam Forcing 3 Seeds---- DAUCUS CAROTA Carrot - Amsterdam Forcing.

As the name implies this variety is highly suited to being forced and is the earliest of all varieties. Very sweet flavour, good colour and small core. A delightful flavour early in the season. First choice for early sowing under cloches and produces small cylindrical roots that freeze well.

ABOUT AMSTERDAM CARROTS: Amsterdam carrots are resistant to pests and diseases, and they are also a good late-season crop that can tolerate frost. In fact, they prefer to be grown during the cooler ends of the growing season—spring and fall. Carrots Amsterdam Forcing 3 are a popular root vegetable that’s easy to grow as long as it’s planted in loose, sandy soil. Here’s what you need to know about planting, growing, and harvesting carrots in your garden! Carrots’ root is rich in sugar, and a great source of vitamins and carotene. Not all carrots are orange; varieties vary in color from purple to white! If there is a challenge to growing carrots, it’s just having soil that’s not too heavy—otherwise, you’ll end up with stunted, round carrots! Most carrot varieties need deep, loose soil that lets them grow without difficulty. Carrots are grown from seed and take between two and four months to mature, depending on the variety.

PLANTING CARROTS: Plan to plant seeds outdoors 3 to 5 weeks before the last spring frost date. Find your local frost dates here. Tip: Plant additional seeds every 3 weeks or so for multiple harvests. Plant carrot seeds 3 to 4 inches apart in rows. Rows should be at least a foot apart. Carrots are slow to germinate. They may take 3 or more weeks to show any signs of life, so don’t panic if your carrots don’t appear right away! Keep the soil moist, not wet, but don’t let it dry out, either. Carrots are best grown in full sunlight, but can tolerate a moderate amount of shade. Optimal Temperature: 50-85 F (10-30 C)

PREPARING THE SOIL: One of the most important things to consider when growing carrots (and other root vegetables) is the condition of your soil. Follow these guidelines to ensure a healthy carrot harvest: Make sure your soil is free of stones. Stones obstruct the path of carrot roots, which can result in a stunted and misshapen crop. Till your soil before planting. Carrots need deeply-tilled, loose soil that they can easily push through. Use the right type of soil. Carrots grow best in sandy or loamy soil (as opposed clayey or silty soil), so supplement your soil as necessary. Learn more about soil types. Avoid using manure or too much fertilizer. Have you ever seen a carrot that has grown “legs” or has forked? Fresh manure, or even recently-applied rotted manure, can cause carrots to fork and send out little side roots. Don’t use it before you plant your carrot seeds.

GROWING CARROTS: Gently mulch to retain moisture, speed germination, and block the sun from hitting the roots directly. Once plants are an inch tall, thin so that they stand 3 inches apart. Snip them with scissors instead of pulling them out to prevent damage to the roots of the remaining plants. Water at least one inch per week. Weed diligently. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer 5-6 weeks after sowing. See more tips for growing carrots.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GROW A CARROT? Depending on the variety and local growing conditions, carrots may take anywhere from 2 to 4 months to mature.

PESTS/DISEASES :Wireworms Flea Beetles Aster Yellow Disease will cause shortened and discolored carrot tops and hairy roots. This disease is spread by pests as they feed from plant to plant. Keep weeds down and invest in a control plan for pests such as leafhoppers. This disease has the ability to overwinter. HARVEST/STORAGE

HARVESTING CARROTS: Carrots should be mature and ready for harvest after about 2–4 months, or when they reach at least ½ inch in diameter. You may harvest whenever desired maturity is reached. If you’re growing carrots in the spring and early summer, harvest before daily temperatures get too hot, as the heat can cause carrot roots to grow fibrous. Carrots taste much better after a couple of frosts. (A frost encourages the plant to start storing energy—sugars—in its root for later use.) Following the first hard frost in the fall, cover carrot rows with an 18-inch layer of shredded leaves to preserve them for harvesting later. Sowing Instruction: When to Sow: April to August. Where to Sow: Sow thinly direct into the growing site 2cm (¾") deep in rows 30cm (12") apart. March sowings under cloches, later sowings should not need covering. Can also be sown February to March in a greenhouse or under cloches. What to do Next: If you have to thin the seedlings, do so in the evening. Water before thinning and remove all the debris. Do not transplant. Aim for roots 2cm (¾") apart. Young Carrots can always be pulled alternately to 'thin as you eat'.