Stumps

Last weekend I sowed my 'stump' carrots. These differ from the 'long' carrots in that they are shorter and must have a distinct stump-shaped base from which the finer, hair like tap-root comes. They are grown in raised beds (paving slabs on their sides in my case) filled with sand as for the long carrots but they only need to be a couple of feet deep. Whereas the long carrot drums are deliberatly kept dry to force the root to go down in search of moisture stump carrots must be kept moist at all times to ensure even growth, making them squat, plump specimens about 6-8" long.

5 or 6 seeds were sown in each station and at this time of year they'll soon be through. The biggest problem I have is stopping cats digging in the sand to have a shit (bless 'em eh?). Each cluster of seedlings will be thinned to 2 then 1 after a couple of weeks or so. Carrot root fly may be a problem but I've been sold a special powder (God it stinks!) which I'm told will ward them off. It needs to be sprinkled around the shoulder of the carrot during July when the root fly are around.

A set of 3 matching 'stumpers' like the ones above always look quite striking on the show bench. The judge is looking for good uniformity, good even colouring (usually orange !) and above all good condition.