LEARN HOW TO GROW CARROTS.

Get the soil conditions right and carrots are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in cool climates.

Wrong soil conditions lead to mis-shapen carrots - these may well look funny when you dig them up, but they are awkward to peel and cook.

Carrots have lots of vitamin A, calcium and trace elements and are a good source of fibre.

Main crop varieties can be stored for up to three months making it possible to have a supply right through the year.

The tastiest carrots are the early ones, which can be harvested as early as early June when they are at their most expensive in the shops.

All in all, this is a good vegetable for the beginner gardener to try, but watch out for carrot fly. 

Carrots prefer a light soil which has been improved with lots of well-rotted organic material fully dug into the soil.

Carrots grown on heavy soil, or where organic material is not well-rotted, will become misshapen and grow 'forked. Stones in the soil will have the same bad effect.

Prepare the bed two weeks or so before planting, forking in a handful of bonemeal for each square metre (yard).

Ensure that the soil is dug to a spade's depth and is of a crumbly texture.

Early crop varieties do best in full sun, especially if they are to be harvested when young.

Main crop varieties do best with some shade especially in mid summer.