How to Sow Orange Touchon Carrot Seeds
Orange Carrot Seeds Touchon offer a very popular French improved coreless variety that produces 6 – 8″ long thick roots right down to the blunt tip. This Nantes-type carrot is of excellent quality, boasting a good sweet flavor, making it ideal for bunching and winter storage. Its sweetness and tenderness remain intact for many months, making it a delightful addition to any garden
How to Grow Orange Touchon Carrot from Seed
- Soil Preparation Advice: Prepare the carrot bed by digging or tilling deeply when the soil is on the dry side to avoid forming lumps. Work the soil to a fine texture at a depth of 15-25 cm (6-10 in.) to allow the carrot roots to grow long and shapely. Avoid using freshly-manured soil, as it may produce hairy, rough roots, leading to forks and splits
- Seed Sowing Advice: Sow Orange Carrot Seeds Touchon thinly in rows, approximately 1 cm (1/2 in.) deep, with 30-40 cm (12-16 in.) spacing between the rows. As soon as the soil starts to warm and becomes workable in spring, sow the seeds. Aim for about 4 seeds per 2 cm (1 in.)
- Germination: Orange Carrot Seeds Touchon typically germinate within 14-21 days. To promote successful germination, ensure the soil temperature is at least 12°C (54°F) or higher. Provide full sun exposure during the germination period to support healthy seedling growth
- Thinning: Once the carrot seedlings have emerged and grown a few inches tall, thin them to ensure proper spacing. For fresh eating, thin to 16-20 carrots per 30 cm (1 ft.), and for mature crops, thin to 6-10 carrots per 30 cm (1 ft.), depending on the desired root size. Dispose of thinned seedlings to avoid attracting Carrot Fly
How to Care for Orange Touchon Carrot Seeds
- Maintenance: As the carrots grow, push soil up over any exposed roots to prevent a green shoulder. Keep the carrot bed well-weeded and adequately watered to support healthy root development
- Harvesting: Orange Carrot Touchon is typically ready for harvest around 70-80 days after sowing. When the carrots have reached their full size and color, carefully loosen the soil around the roots with a garden fork or shovel. Gently lift the carrots from the ground, taking care not to damage the roots. Cut off the leafy tops, leaving about an inch of stem attached to the carrots for storage. For the best flavor and sweetness, harvest carrots in the morning when temperatures are cooler
- Pests and Diseases: Carrot Fly, aphids, slugs, and snails are common pests affecting Orange Carrot Seeds Touchon. Use barriers and natural predators to deter them. Be vigilant against diseases like carrot rust fly; practice crop rotation for prevention. Protect your crop for a successful harvest
