Carrots & Caravans
by SeedGal, seedgal.com — all rights reserved June 21, 2017
Found in bulk mix wildflower seed packets is a pollinator magnet called Queen Anne’s Lace an actual type of wild carrot (and weed). Check out how wild carrots transformed over time to become a favorite vegetable.
Carrot History
Neolithic times so far reveal carrots seeds and tops used as food sources but not carrot roots. The most important approach to the history of carrot cultivation is by deductive reasoning with lots of mystery surrounding how people began to adopt carrots as a root vegetable from other cultures.
Who first cultivated carrots as a root food?
Greece can’t claim the carrot. Asia and Europe can’t claim the carrot since records for Japan and China don’t show the carrot root as a food source until the 13th century. Same for Europe and the Netherlands — carrots introduced these regions began to gain popularity as a root vegetable around the 14th century.
The Traveling Carrot
Carrot roots grown for food actually started in the Middle Eastern countries. For example, Northern Arabia in the 10th century cultivated yellow carrots; these also where grown in Egypt, BC. With conjecture, the introduction of carrots seems to parallel Islamic merchants traveling in huge groups with caravans along trade routes. Their routes included North Africa, Spain, and then other European and countries with long-term settlements. Possibly, carrot seeds came with these caravans; grown for food in the regions traveled.
Wild carrots in the middle east can be purple, red, yellow, and even white; they are considered an invasive species in North America, brought into the early Americas by Spaniards and English settlers. If left in the garden bed, your domestic biennial carrot will return as Queen Ann’s Lace by pollinating with wild carrots. Although the Netherlands did cultivate an orange variety, the classic orange carrots we know today, originated in Holland² in the 1700’s. The carrots distributed from the Dutch, became hugely popular in England and the rest of Europe. As a trendy fashion statement women tucked carrot top fronds into their hats during this time.
Planting Tips
Soil conditions for carrots:
Little Finger Amsterdam are adaptable to many native soils including clay, characteristics.
For sowing carrot seeds, using seed starter soil from your favorite garden supply store, helps the sprouting process. ‘Long’ carrot types need outstanding soil conditions and can’t grow well in rocky soil, however Little Finger Amsterdam Carrots perform marvelously even in soil with pebbles, stones, or gravel. Rock free soil and perfect conditions aren’t necessary to achieve sweet, delicious carrots from this heirloom variety.
Grow candy in your pots & beds
Enjoy sweet rewards, sow seeds to harvest carrots all season long. Little Finger Amsterdam are a super star for your garden or containers and similar to mini Nantes carrots. In extremely hot climates, move your containers to shade.
Germination, Harvesting
Little Finger Amsterdam Carrots reach maturity, and are ready to harvest in about 60 to 65 days. Recommended minimum germination temperature 45 degrees; after they sprout the seedling can withstand a typical range of growing temperatures. If you begin to see the carrot crown peak from the earth — cover the crowns with more soil or fine mulch. This aids in keeping the carrot crowns orange instead of turning green at harvest. Any carrots that manage to escape harvest in a couple years will revert to origins; flowering like Queen Ann’s Lace.
Planting tips for garden beds
Carrot seeds are so small it’s easy to displace during watering, try bordering the carrot patch rows with lettuce, radishes, chives. This will serve as a marker for sown carrots. Carefully sow carrots with to the right depth. Radishes for example and in comparison to carrots will sprout quickly and define the carrot row before any weeds blow in. Harvest radishes freely, the carrots won’t be disturbed and continue to grow. Sow seeds every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Growing herbs near carrot sprouts helps confuse insect pests.
Warning on fertilization and watering
Fertilizing carrots at the risks to quality; fertilizer won’t make your carrots taste good and may cause tougher textures instead of crisp.
About watering — Don’t water to the point of creating puddles in your garden. Too much water will crack roots; also disrupt quality.
Do add mulch around carrots; this helps retain soil moisture and block weeds. When the green feathery carrot tops are about 4 inches tall, add potash or wood ash, around the roots for boosting quality results.
Carrot Nutrition
Harvesting on time, ensures peak juicy flavor and nutrition: Per cup serving one gram of protein, plus trace values of A, C, K and B vitamins; see USDA food composition database for more information on nutritional value.
References:
(1) Storl, Wolf D. A Curious History of Vegetables: Aphrodisiacal and Healing Properties, Folk Tales, Garden Tips, and Recipes. North Atlantic Books, 2016
(2) Roberts, Jonathan. Cabbage & Kings: The Origins Of Fruit & Vegetables. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 2001
Suggested Growing Tips:
Michigan State University Extension: How to Grow Carrots.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/resources/how_to_grow_carrots
