Tendersweet Carrot

400 seeds

Ready in 75 days

Planting companions: Broad beans, peas, radishes, tomatoes, sage, rosemary... Especially good companions are shallots, leeks, and other vegetables in the onion family, as their odor repels the carrot fly and maggots.

Poor companions: Beets, dill.

"Tendersweet" carrots are one of the sweetest varieties! Their dark orange roots are flavorful, crunchy, and excellent for cooking.

Prepare the soil 3 weeks before the last frost or when the soil temperature reaches 45°F (7°C). For continuous harvesting, sow carrots until the end of July, spacing the plantings 7 to 10 days apart. These carrots are long and slender, preferring deep soil to reach their full length. Build a raised mound about 8 inches wide. Sow the seeds on top and cover them with 1/4 inch of soil. Keep the soil moist but don't let it become hard, as this could compromise seed germination.

When the seedlings reach 2 inches in height, thin them gently to 2-4 inches apart, depending on the desired carrot size. The farther apart they are, the larger they will grow! Don't let the soil dry out. When the tops of the carrots start emerging from the soil, cover them with mulch to retain their tenderness. Control weeds to prevent young carrots from becoming stunted.

Carrots can be harvested at any time since they are always delicious, regardless of the size of the roots. When they are younger, they are more tender, but as the season progresses, they become longer and thicker. Starting to pick the carrots when they are large enough to eat allows the remaining carrots to continue growing. If they become difficult to pick, make sure the soil is sufficiently moist.