Carrot Rainbow Mix, Sow Easy - McKenzie Seeds

Daucus carota subsp. Sativus

• Fun for kids!
  
• All-natural, coated seeds for easy sowing.
• Open-pollinated
• 60-70 days to harvest
• 10 -14 days to germination 

Rainbow Carrots produce a mix of orange, yellow, red, purple, and occasionally white carrots. The colorful 20-25 cm (8-10”) carrots are fun for kids. Crisp and sweet, these are an excellent choice for salads and gourmet dishes.

What is Sow Easy?  Sow Easy seed is coated with a safe and all natural seed coating made from a high-quality blend of clay, lime and perlite making the seed easier to handle and plant.  The coating around the seed is tinted with food grade coloring for increased visibility when planting.

Approx. 250 seeds

Carrot seeds are small and planting a specific distance apart can be difficult. The use of a small seed seeder can help or just lightly scatter the seed by hand. Generally, it is better to seed heavier as the germinating seedlings can help push each other through the ground. Seedlings should be thinned to approximately 5 cm (2″) apart for optimal root formation.

Germination: Seeds germinate in approximately 10-14 days. The biggest reason for poor germination is the lack of moisture. Moisture levels must be consistent from the time of planting and are essential for good root formation, texture and flavour. Be sure to continue watering during dry periods. Poor germination can also occur when soil temperatures become too hot. Soil temperatures 27°C (80°F) and greater can stop seeds from germinating.

Suggestions: After planting, keep your carrot patch nice and moist to ensure better germination and to help young carrot plants emerge as sprouts will not push through dry crusted soil. Covering rows with finely sifted compost or potting soil is a great solution as they do not crust over like garden soil which can be very helpful in germinating the seed.

Carrots can be thinned once they reach approximately 2.5-5 cm (1-2”) in height making sure to leave about 2.5-5 cm (1-2”) between plants. Water the carrots before thinning to make them easier to remove. They can then be thinned again in another 3-4 weeks to leave approximately 4-8 cm between plants. Thinned-out carrots at this “baby” stage can be enjoyed by lightly cooking and serving with butter, salt & pepper.

Carrots can sometimes push out of the ground when growing so keep a watch on them and hill up soil over exposed roots to prevent green tops.

Harvesting and Storage

• Carrots can be dug up after the first hard frost. They can be harvested at any size throughout the season but the flavour is best once they have turned bright orange.
• Cut the green tops off approximately 1 cm (1/2”) above the crowns and store carrots in a cool, dark location or refrigerate to keep fresh.
• It is a good idea to inspect stored carrots regularly to monitor any decay.