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IMPROVING SOIL FOR CARROTS
Every year I try to grow carrots without success. I add compost to soil and even sieved a whole area to get rid of stones. However, I never have but a handful of large carrots and mostly tiny ones. Is there anything I can do to improve the soil as it’s very clay-like and stony?
Stuart McEwan, Essex
EMMA SAYS: If your soil is very stony or heavy and wet, apart from improving it with organic matter such as well-rotted manure and garden compost (not fresh as this will cause forking), you might also consider growing in raised beds with better imported soil.
If this is not an option try using a bar to make 15cm (6in) holes in the ground, turning the end of the bar in a circular motion to make a cone-shaped hole. Fill this with good loam or loam-based potting compost such as John Innes Seed Compost and sow two or three seeds in the top. Thin to the strongest later. This should help to give you long, straight roots.