Nik_B 3,790 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 https://www.harvesttotable.com/carrot_and_parsnip_growing_pro/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,036 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Well son I'm going to ask a question. I'm not being judgemental by the way. They look like the result of using plugs. Same as trying it with beetroot and parsnip. If not then the soil has literally stopped the tap root going down. Too much stone?? Over watering?? You tried plugs didn't you? Jok Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,036 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Sussex. Don't chuck them out pal. They make lovely soup no matter the shape. Jok. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sussex 5,776 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Well son I'm going to ask a question. I'm not being judgemental by the way. They look like the result of using plugs. Same as trying it with beetroot and parsnip. If not then the soil has literally stopped the tap root going down. Too much stone?? Over watering?? You tried plugs didn't you? Jok Yep used plugs this year for the first time last two years ive used seed and they were pants , can't be stones you wouldn't be able to fill a tea cup if you turned my whole plot over . Not over watered . Why would plugs cause this as opposed to seed ? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,036 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Knew it. Right, think on this. Particularly carrot and parsnip as a a growing entity. Sow a seed and only one thing can happen. They grow naturally down as stamp root to find water. From sowing, nothing disturbs the root from going only one way, down. Now, when you put a plug in the ground , unless you have prepared a hole deep enough to take the entire rootstock then you have effectively stunted the root growth. Result. ? Exactly what you have shown us. The root no longer needs to seek nourishment further down. As you water, the plant accepts surface feeding and he ho curly carrots. Now then. Looking at my boxes, 2 things become evident. 1. The boxes give you about 18 inches above ground which means that the carrot fly will not penetrate. 2. You choose the mixture of soil and compost filling the box but ultimately it will be stone free which allows the root unrestricted growth downwards. Now that is the way forward. Jok. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,036 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Moral of the above is' do not use plugs with root veg'. It'll end in tears. Jok. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sussex 5,776 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Knew it. Right, think on this. Particularly carrot and parsnip as a a growing entity. Sow a seed and only one thing can happen. They grow naturally down as stamp root to find water. From sowing, nothing disturbs the root from going only one way, down. Now, when you put a plug in the ground , unless you have prepared a hole deep enough to take the entire rootstock then you have effectively stunted the root growth. Result. ? Exactly what you have shown us. The root no longer needs to seek nourishment further down. As you water, the plant accepts surface feeding and he ho curly carrots. Now then. Looking at my boxes, 2 things become evident. 1. The boxes give you about 18 inches above ground which means that the carrot fly will not penetrate. 2. You choose the mixture of soil and compost filling the box but ultimately it will be stone free which allows the root unrestricted growth downwards. Now that is the way forward. Jok. How can I still need to learn stuff I'm 65 for fcuk sake , I should know every thing by now ...carrots in boxes next year .. Out of likes , been a busy day . 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,036 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Nice one son. You know it makes sense. Not only that, the young guns on here air having a little peek and thinking that's the way forward . Thing is, we are never too old to learn a thing or two so if anyone has further comments we are all ears. Jok. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
terryd 8,044 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 tom well away in the back yard now cucumbers coming along nice had one off so far nice too had this one in the back yard and was on the verge of dieing so threw it in me new green house lobbed a bucket of water on it and it seems to have come to life started on my second earlies kestrel we love them in mash superb some veg to go up to my daughter as she is doing her masters got to keep her well fed and keeping the old compost heap stoked up 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,036 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Nice Terry. Wish you and I shared the same allotments. Got a feeling we'd spend some time together. Jok. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,036 Posted July 12, 2017 Report Share Posted July 12, 2017 Nearly at the end of 2nd earlies with one more row to go. Charlotte. What a great tasting potato. Before we know it, it'll be main crops and thinking about our winter veg. What a shame it goes so quickly. Jok. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
terryd 8,044 Posted July 13, 2017 Report Share Posted July 13, 2017 I did notice yesterday in that particular patch the spuds were set in the clay like concrete no way to expand. If I had waited another 2 or 3 weeks the soil would have been better to dig over and not set hard but on the other hand the old blight has landed on some of the rows so it is game over but I don't care because I have a decent crop in the bag so it is swings and round abouts really I have one row of spuds that is under a net pure accident as it fell off the peas and they have huge haulms for my standards anyway so if what is under the ground matches I will be chuffed. Looked forward to digging them up when the time comes 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nik_B 3,790 Posted July 13, 2017 Report Share Posted July 13, 2017 Our tomatoes are still green, we are wondering if we have a disease or something else because the tops of the plants are curled over and look deformed and didn't get any flowers. Lower down there are quite a lot of tomatoes though. We rescued one of the cucumber plants which almost died and it's back to producing again, the other one is storming ahead still. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,036 Posted July 13, 2017 Report Share Posted July 13, 2017 I took another load of chicken manure down today which helps with rotting the compost. Also cut a bagful of comfrey which puts another layer of good ness in the mix. My biggest job by far, at the moment, is something I didn't really think too much about. De Stoning. For some reason, we are no where near a river or brook course, the garden , at about a foot down, is full of river stones. Now I realise that it's good for drainage etc but whenever I rotovated or hand dig sections up they come and not small by any means. I'm trying to do about 4 square mets at a time but the volume of rubble is a problem. What to do with it? Hard old life this allotment. Love it. Jok. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
forest of dean redneck 11,190 Posted July 13, 2017 Report Share Posted July 13, 2017 Greenhouse with toms an courgettes and cabbage plants in raised planter. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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