![]() Radishes germinate quickly, usually in just 3-5 days. I have tried tricks to mark out the row, like using sand or chalk dust, but even so, the marker can fade if you get any particularly hard rains. It is often hard to know exactly where your row is within the weedy jungle that forms during those 2-3 weeks, which means that you are probably going to be on your knees pulling weeds, rather than using your hoe. The final challenge in starting carrots is keeping the weeds down. Soil crusting can be prevented by using a mister or drip irrigation, however in our climate, pretty much any 3-week stretch in the spring is guaranteed at least one pounding rain that can quickly cause crust formation. If you do see them emerge from crusty soil, it usually is from within the cracks. The small carrot seedlings have difficulty penetrating this soil crust. On the other hand, frequent watering that produces large droplets, such as from a watering can or sprinkler, is likely to cause a crust to form on the top of the soil, particularly if your soil is a bit low in organic matter. If germination gets started and then the soil dries out one hot afternoon, it will be too late. You must be diligent about watering every day or so if rain is not frequent at that time. Carrot seeds are very small and therefore they must be planted near the surface of the soil, where drying is most common. The biggest challenge when starting carrot seeds is keeping the soil moist during the long germination period (up to 3 weeks). But before we get into discussing carrots and radishes and why they will forever be best friends in my garden, it's important to understand a few of the challenges gardeners face when growing carrots. In this article, I'm going to discuss why this is, and how you too can use them to your advantage, all while saving precious garden space. Radishes are indeed the world's best kept secret to getting your carrots off to a great start, at least in my opinion. Lest you think that I have the attention span of a toddler, that was not a typo. The secret to growing great carrots is.radishes! So what was this secret that I found buried in that book? The one trick that has had me growing great carrots every year since, no matter the weather? Okay no more teasing. And ever since, I have been on a mission to spread the word about this awesome gardening secret. I have used this method every year since and it has never failed me. I decided to give them one more try and this time, I was amazed with the results. Over the next few years, I attempted carrots a few more times, but never with great success until one day I discovered the secret, buried within the pages of a gardening book. I finally gave up and decided to just be content with my other gardening successes. I tried to be patient, keeping them weeded and watered, but even after a month, there was no sign of life. ![]() Over the next week or so, I watched with excitement as they all sprouted. Once the weather had warmed soil was dry enough to till, we quickly got the garden prepped and I got to work planting my vegetable seeds. I gathered up some packets of our favorite vegetables: green beans, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, zucchini, carrots, and of course, tomatoes and headed home to plan out our new garden. E xcitement rushed over me as stood in front of the giant vegetable seed display at our local hardware store, imagining all of the vegetables I could grow in my very first garden.
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