Carrots for July sowing

[Andraste]

I'm considering sowing some Carrots at the weekend mostly as I've a couple of plantable gaps in the beds. I'd normally have sown Carrots well before now (Iike April, May or possibly early June). I know the packets say sow up until June/July but I'd like to choose the ones in my stash that will mature fastest - but the packs don't tell me how long they take & online results are super vague.

Here's what I have:

• Autumn King 2
• Chantenay Red Cored 2
• Flyaway
• Kamila
• Nantes 5
• Royal Chantenay 3 (not really the shape I want but will consider)
• St Valery

Recommendations for the fastest of the above would be very gratefully received - as would any 'for goodness sake don't sow X as they'll be no bigger than peas come Christmas' insight

[MelanieSW]

The Nantes 5 should be fast to mature. Though not on your list, I can also recommend Speedo...

[Nicos]

Try putting fleece over them to speed them up?
I find the various Nantes varieties are quick .

[Peanut]

Thanks for this thread Andraste I am interested in the replies, as I only sowed my first carrots last week and plan to sow more, not sure what the latest recommended month is, I don't mind baby carrots!

[Penellype]

I sowed Amsterdam Forcing at the end of June last year and they made small but edible carrots for winter. I've not tried other varieties for late sowings.

[ameno]

Any early variety should be okay ("early" really just means fast maturing. It doesn't actually need to be grown early).
Avoid maincrop varieties as they are too slow (Autumn King and St Valery on that list are definitely maincrop).

[Vince G]

Autumn King for me. I'll sow some when I get back from holiday at the end of July, I find they grow slowly and stand well through the winter in my free draining soil at the lottie.

I make 3 sowings: late March, then when I start picking baby carrots towards the end of June, I sow more, then Autumn King end of July for winter use. They often last into spring and start growing again, lots of fine white hairy roots on the main root tells me they're about to get woody so I lift them all and store them.

[Andraste]

Thanks for all the feedback

Along with all your tips & merging with what I've been able to find online (I've skipped Royal Chantenay 3 as I don't really want dumpy carrots this time):

My 'early' seeds are Kamila & Nantes 5. Both Suttons & Dobies estimate 84 days to harvest for the Nantes 5. I can't find an estimate anywhere for Kamila but if I can dig out a March 2022 GYO there was a little bit of an article in there that might help (can't read it online for obvious reasons but doubt I'd still have one that old).

Chantenay Red Core are described by GW as 'early maincrop' with estimates all around 80 days. These are also said to do well on clay/heavier ground (which we have).

Flyaway are described variously as 'mid season' & maincrop depending on where I looked. Estimates ranged from 70 up to 90 days. If it was still June I'd probably give these a go based on previous years but not for July I think as 90 days is a gamble for my current needs.

I've had success from earlier sowings with Autumn King Vince G so I am tempted despite them being a maincrop but OH doesn't want anything in the beds I have space in to stand over winter (he wants to manure & cover) so I think these won't make the cut. Based on previous earlier sowings I don't think they'll grow quick enough for me from July even though Chilterns are tempting me with a low 70-80 day to harvest estimate.

Suttons estimate St Valery will take 120 days so they're definitely out this time round.

Sooooooo............ I'm thinking 2 short rows - 1 of Nantes 5 & the other of Chantenay Red Core. Now I just have to convince OH that we do need to sow carrots this year after all lol.

[Marb67]

I have never ever got on with carrots of any variety, and any that did come up got eaten by slugs.

[Containergardener]

Wondering whether to try a few carrots too.

[Penellype]

Wondering whether to try a few carrots too.

Getting a bit late. You might be ok with a sowing of a quick growing round variety for baby carrots, if the weather is reasonable.

[Containergardener]

Maybe better in a tub? Can always gh it then?

[Peanut]

Maybe better in a tub? Can always gh it then?

I am planning on doing a bucket or two to keep in the greenhouse, plus I have some space in my carrot bed where one variety didn't germinate, so I am going to chuck a few in there to fill it up, even if I only get little carrots that'll be fine for me!

[Nicos]

And remember- you can eat the green leafy bits too- such as in soup, pesto etc…have a look on here…

https://www.loveandlemons.com/carrot...s-chimichurri/

[Peanut]

Oh yes, carrot tops are yummy!