Hi Murray, carrots should be planted directly into the soil rather than transplanted, they require a light free draining soil with good drainage. There are several things that can cause carrots to go "woody". Environmental factors such as too hot and dry, or too cold and wet, irregular watering, poor drainage or leaving the carrots in the ground for too long. Also, excessive nitrogen, so adding too much nitrogen rich compost or organic matter or fertiliser to the soil. Apply a fertiliser high in phosphorus to promote root development such as Tui Vegetable Food. Apply a mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture and to prevent the soil heating up excessively, and water little and often. The Tui Team.
FAQs
Why do my carrots have warts? ›
Root knot nematodes in carrots are a major pathogen which also affects other food crops, such as onions and lettuce. Carrots affected by root knot nematodes display malformed, stubby, hairy roots. The carrots are still edible, but they are ugly and distorted with tough galls and thick skin.
Is it okay to eat carrots that have sprouted? ›The carrots are safe to eat as long as they are not in any way slimy and still feel firm to the touch.
Why do my carrots have multiple roots? ›Imperfect carrots, or carrots with multiple roots – many of them twisted around each other – may come from several causes, including spacing, soil type, fertility, pests and disease. Your carrots could be overcrowded. Next time, try thinning them to an inch apart after the leaves reach about three inches high.
Why have my carrots gone curly? ›If you pull your first carrots only to find they have forked or twisted roots, the problem almost certainly lies in your soil condition. Stones, sticks, and other solid objects will force the root to grow around them, resulting in disappointingly deformed shapes. Remove as much bulky matter as you can before sowing.
What are the growths on carrots? ›Carrot cyst nematodes cause dark coloured areas or lesions on the roots. Infestations of carrot cyst nematodes may be confirmed by sightings of white female nematodes or brown nematode cysts on the carrot roots (Figure 2).
What are the bumps growing on my carrots? ›Common scab is a bacterial disease that produces circular, corky, raised lesions or bumps on the tuber or root surface of potatoes. It can also be a problem of beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips, and radish. The lesions are tan to brown in color. The disease is encouraged by soil pH above 5.5.
What are the white strings on carrots? ›The little white “hairs” are small roots growing that are looking for moisture. The cracks can be caused by too little moisture or by the carrot trying to grow around something in the soil (pebbles, rocks, etc.).
When should you throw out carrots? ›If your carrots feel slimy and look discolored, are wilting or soft, or show signs of mold, they should be tossed. The white blush on carrot skin is OK to eat—it just means the carrots are drying out and need water.
How do you know when carrots are too old to eat? ›Carrots that have spoiled or gone bad will usually have an odor, a slimy texture, or dark discoloration. They may also be wilted or soft. If you see mold growing on carrots, throw them out. The white blush that forms on carrots signals that your carrots are drying out.
Why do my carrots have nodules? ›Deformed carrots are not only caused by poor soil, but may also be from the activities of root knot nematodes or a disease called Phytoplasma aster. Nematodes are nearly invisible soil organisms with feeding activity that can cause nodules to form on plant roots.
How many times can you regrow carrots? ›
Once the taproot (carrot) is removed it cannot grow another. When cut from the top, the growing point for the taproot is removed, however the growing tip for new leaves is not removed.
What does it mean when carrots are forking? ›Any obstruction or compression of the soil at the root tip at a young age will cause bending, forking, or other deformations of the root. Forking may be caused by a range of different things, including: Attack by insects, diseases, or nematodes.
How to get carrots to grow straight? ›The most important thing is to not fertilise the soil immediately before growing carrots. They are best sown into soil or potting mix that was fertilised for a previous crop - ie up to 6 or 9 months previously. Too rich a growing medium will cause carrots to grow stumpy or forked.
How to get rid of carrot weevils? ›Milky spores and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are organisms that kill larvae without harm to other creatures. They will be more effective when applied early; they have little impact on mature larvae. Use neem-based sprays on older larvae.
How do you prevent nematodes in carrots? ›To avoid infesting new fields with plant-parasitic nematodes, good sanitation practices are essential. Clean machinery and equipment thoroughly with water to prevent the movement of infested soil.
Can you eat carrots with holes in them? ›They're most likely holes left by larvae of the carrot fly, and they may long have left and turned into flies. Even if you do inadvertently cook one in the soup, consider it an extra bit of protein, it won't harm you, although if you're vegetarian, you might want to slice them quite finely to make sure.
What is the sticky stuff on carrots? ›Yes, the white blush that forms on some baby carrots—call it carrot dandruff if you like—is safe to eat. The scuzz of which we speak is the result of the carrots' surface drying out. Regular, mature carrots have a natural protective coating (as do most fruits and vegetables) that helps them retain moisture.