Posted on 04/07/2023 6:00:01 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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In my case, the soil is heavy and acidic so I need to do the same. Search results look fairly promising which is unusual these days.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=making+carrot+soil&ia=web
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/carrot/healthy-carrot-soil.htm
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/6-ways-to-prep-your-soil-for-better-carrots-3/
https://www.growerexperts.com/how-to-make-sandy-soil-for-carrots/
https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/carrots/carrot-bed-preparation-spacing-weeding-watering.html
QUOTE:
For containers and raised beds, there are several recipes you can use to fill your growing spaces. The most basic combination is to mix in equal parts sand with compost. This will give you sufficient organic matter as well as loose sand for easy drainage.
The problem with this is that if your compost has a lot of manure it might be too high in nitrogen. That is why I like to make my carrot potting mix with 1 part sand, 1 part germination mix (or sifted potting soil), and 1 part aged compost.
My soil is classified as Clayey Loam so I’m thinking 1 part soil, 1 part sand(builder’s sand), 1 part compost, 1 part neutral fluff like coconut coir. Peat is acidic so I wouldn’t want to use that since my soil is too. Could possibly go with 2 parts sand to 1 of everything else. The carrot seed I have are a fairly short, blocky variety too.
Hopefully someone with experience will chime in.
Thanks a million. Our soil has no clay. I have compost and I was cleaning up in the barn this morning and found some leftover bagged sand. I’ll check out those links.
Score! I know you’ll enjoy them. :)
I have a problem with my soil being too clay-based and also too rich for carrots, and since Wisconsin is a top Carrot Producer, they’re always cheap to buy for me and Ithaca. ;)
BUT - I found this site that ‘splains it all. You were close in your idea of what to mix together! :)
What Soil to use for Carrots in Containers?
You can certainly make your own soil mix for carrots. Mix together 1 part (25%) top soil from your backyard, 1 part (25%) compost or completed rotted and dried animal manure, 1 part (25%) perlite or vermiculite or sand and 1 part (25%) coco peat or peat moss.
https://www.justhomegardening.com/best-soil-for-carrots-in-containers
That sounds good. I have a 40 year old small pile of good topsoil from when they put the driveway in. It will be good for something.
Beau always gives me a hard time about how many bags of ‘Ithaca-Grow’ I lug home all spring season.
“Can’t you SEE all the FREE DIRT all around you?” LOL!
Sorry, Sweetheart. That’s only good for growing corn and wheat and soybeans. ;)
I love a good book series.
Have you tried Fanny Flagg’s books? She has a series based in fictional Elmwood Springs, MO that is a lot of fun.
“Can’t Wait To Get To Heaven” is book one.
I found all her books in thrift stores.
LOL! That’s my boy. He’s not useful for much, but makes good compost! :)
I like Fannie Flag. ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ is a classic - a and they did a good job on the movie for once, too. :)
SW Wisconsin is getting a blast of Summer. Hopefully rain by the weekend - we could use some to kick-start this party!
Today (4-12-23)
Mostly sunny, windy, and unseasonably warm. Record high for Madison is 86 set in 1887 Wind: SW 15-25 MPH
Tonight
Mostly clear, breezy, and continued unseasonably mild. Record warm low for Madison is 61 set in 1941 Wind: SW 10-20 MPH
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, breezy, and continued unseasonably warm. Record high for Madison is 78 set in 1938 Wind: S/SW 10-20 MPH
Note to self:
Very nice! Efficient and well-protected from weather and critters.
Here is a thought-provoking article on beekeeping.
“Backyard bees disfigure yards in ways we are only beginning to comprehend”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/13/bees-urban-beekeeping-native-pollinators/
Um, OK. Saving that one for later.
Regretting the time I passed on my BIL who wanted to give me all of his beekeeping hives and supplies...about 10 years ago.
There’s a guy in ‘The People’s Republik of Madistan’ that I see at Farmer’s Markets and Craft Fairs from time to time. He keeps bees on the roof of a building in downtown Madistan and the bees range far and wide, but still produce excellent honey.
They are little miracles, for sure. We need to help them any way we can.
“”Um, OK. Saving that one for later.”
“
That was my hope, I didn’t even know there was a downside to all of us raising bees but evidently, there are things to consider in the city.
'White Wedding'
'Queeny Lemon Peach'
'Queeny Lime Orange'
Still my FAVORITE Zinnia and one I always recommend to anyone who asks (or doesn't, LOL!) An absolutely PERFECT red, with NO pink to it at all. 'Will Rogers':
I’ve got 8 of those flower/herb pots growing nicely. With your recommended seed mix. I used the larger tall cottage cheese containers.
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