Growing carrots in planters. - Seeking advice.

[Horus]

Hello people,

Our glorious leader Null has inspired me to try my hand at growing something positive, and I was hoping to get advice.

Despite being what people might call a "prepper" I have never really got into growing food, (preferring to stockpile already existing stuff instead) and this spring/summer seems like a good time to learn.

My goal is to grow some carrots in planters and then pressure-can them for long term storage. I have chosen carrots because I like how they taste, they are a fairly forgiving plant to grow from what I understand, and my climate does allow for the potential of 2 crops. I have also chosen to use planters because I can establish more control over the growing conditions, and planters make it easy to keep the damn rabbits away from my plants.

If I do okay this year with them, I would then consider tilling a portion of my backyard next spring/summer and see what I can do with a more traditional garden, applying anything I learn with my carrot crop this year.

I do believe that regardless of what activity one chooses to pursue, that to be forewarned is to be forearmed. So I was hoping to get any sort of advice/musings I could from people who do grow a lot of garden crops.

I appreciate your replys and thank you in advance for the advice.

 

[Dr. Ricearoni]

You can't grow cartots in planters they get uppity

 

[Haint]

Yes. Carrots dont like heavy soils, using containers helps give a loose soil to taper down into. The taller the container, the better. I have gotten banging crops from several 15 gallon nursery containers. Depending on your location this season, you need to get started soon. Carrots dont like warm weather, they are a cool season crop.
Not a prepper, just a agriculture enthusiast.

Pro Tip: Check with your local agriculture extension office, they normally have ag information relevant like how to grow guides for your area.

 

[Horus]

Yes. Carrots dont like heavy soils, using containers helps give a loose soil to taper down into. The taller the container, the better. I have gotten banging crops from several 15 gallon nursery containers. Depending on your location this season, you need to get started soon. Carrots dont like warm weather, they are a cool season crop.
Not a prepper, just a agriculture enthusiast.

Pro Tip: Check with your local agriculture extension office, they normally have ag information relevant like how to grow guides for your area.

I appreciate the advice, any specific nursery container you prefer?

 

[Salvador Dali]

Since the actual carrot grows underground, planters aren't usually deep enough to accommodate their full growth. I have had success growing carrots in those 5-gallon buckets from Home Depot.

Save the planters for growing things like peppers, tomatoes, and herbs (things that grow above ground). Also, look up the concept of companion planting and find a combination of seeds/plants that grow well together that you will enjoy eating.

 

[Haint]

Big, round and black. LOL
Black plastic will last enough seasons to be worth the purchase.

This is what I use. Ive done carrots, peas, peppers all in these pots. Tomatoes dont do well as they like even more soil volume than these will provide. One that, a warning that theses can heat up in the summer, so some shading during the day help keeps it cool.

 

[D_Tractor]

Containers are a pain. Better to build a rabbit proof fence around a garden plot.

 

[Dr. Ricearoni]

Since the actual carrot grows underground, planters aren't usually deep enough to accommodate their full growth. I have had success growing carrots in those 5-gallon buckets from Home Depot.

Save the planters for growing things like peppers, tomatoes, and herbs (things that grow above ground). Also, look up the concept of companion planting and find a combination of seeds/plants that grow well together that you will enjoy eating.

I didn't mean to actually dispense correct advice

 

[Haint]

Containers are a pain. Better to build a rabbit proof fence around a garden plot.

You want the food, you have to put in the work. Containers can be moved around and offer more control for soil quality . Rabbits arent as much of a problems deer can be. If OP has deer issues, thats another story.

 

[Horus]

You want the food, you have to put in the work. Containers can be moved around and offer more control for soil quality . Rabbits arent as much of a problems deer can be. If OP has deer issues, thats another story.

I am on the edge of the burbs, I have only seen a deer on my property once or twice. My neighbors also have some big-ass dogs they let roam in their backyard. I believe the proximity of the dogs will keep deer away, but I see rabbits squeeze through our mutual fence all the time.

 

[Honored guest]

There are a few short varieties of carrots that you can grow in more shallow planters, these are partisian and oxheart, if you're looking to grow large quantities it might be worth it to either make some raised beds or invest in a sewing machine and start making your own growbags. There is a gardening thread over here https://kiwifarms.net/threads/gardening-and-plant-thread.10883/ so feel free to ask any questions you may have for other plants.

 

[vomitusdeux]

You want the food, you have to put in the work. Containers can be moved around and offer more control for soil quality . Rabbits arent as much of a problems deer can be. If OP has deer issues, thats another story.

There's spray you can use that makes your area smell like a predator den. But I still have to net my baby fruit trees. I fucking hate deer so much. They'll strip the bark despite having a literal fucking forest of food around them. Fuck rabbits and fuck deer. I'm damn glad they're tasty and I can get my revenge.

 

[ForgedBlades]

Not trying to be a downer, but this is probably too expensive to be worth it. As stated above, you're going to need fairly large containers and if you fill these with bagged topsoil or soil from your yard you're probably not going to get very good results because it's going to compact almost immediately after you water them in and I would assume prevent proper growth of the taproot. Scott's makes a "garden soil" that has less bulk density, but still, ehhh....

A peat-based soilless media would be the best option but you're looking at probably $20 a container just to fill them.

 

[Haint]

Not trying to be a downer, but this is probably too expensive to be worth it. As stated above, you're going to need fairly large containers and if you fill these with bagged topsoil or soil from your yard you're probably not going to get very good results because it's going to compact almost immediately after you water them in and I would assume prevent proper growth of the taproot. Scott's makes a "garden soil" that has less bulk density, but still, ehhh....

A peat-based soilless media would be the best option but you're looking at probably $20 a container just to fill them.

A mix of 1 part soil less mix, 2 parts cheap landscape mix, and 1 part sand has worked very well for me. I do use sand clay loam from my own yard, or where I can find suitable soils to collect. I dont recommend collecting your own soils if you are just starting out. Go for the cheapest bag soil components you can, and mix them. After a while you will get a feel for what mixture ratio works for your purpose. Yes, you can sink alot of money into a garden, or you can do it on the cheap, but on the cheap requires more working knowledge.
The problem with peat based soilless mixes is price and inability of the mix to retain nutrients, part of which is due to lack of a mineral component. Soilless mixes are easy to overwater and underwater at the same time. If left to dry just a bit much, peat becomes hydrophobic and wont absorb water quickly enough, allowing water drain away leaving you thinking you have watered enough when in reality, very little of the water reaches the roots.