Carrots not germinating

[helixdesign]

I can't get carrots to germinate. I've sown four lots throughout the year and 1 carrot germinated. What am I doing wrong?

The first seeds were sown in March so it may have been too cold.

The second in April when we had the warm spell.

Third sowing was in May/ June

4th lot was on Sunday so I don't expect them to have germinated yet.

Has anyone got any hot tips to ensure my 4th sowing germinates?

Many thanks

Helix

[Johnboy]

Hi Helix,
I would suggest that the slugs are up and out of bed before you. I would think that as the Carrots are germinating they are being eaten by Keeled Slugs.
I always protect mine with slug pellets placed about 4" apart down both sides of the row.
It is amazing how many slugs I cop.
I once had a 30ft row germinated one evening and by the morning there were hardly any left so since then I have use Pellets.
JB.

[Monika]

Maybe you could try covering them with fleece (after putting on the slug killer as Johnboy has suggested) because that will help conserve moisture and warmth and might help them to get going. I sow ours under fleece and keep it on until about October. It's really to deter carrot root fly but I am sure it helps with their growth as well.

[helixdesign]

I have used the organic approved slug pellets this year. I don't like killing things but the slugs have really got to me.

How's the best way to support fleece. I've thought about using it in the past but I'm not sure how to secure it. We get quite a strong wind blowing across our patch.

[Johnboy]

Hi Helix,
I have specially made cages covered with Anti White Fly netting now but before that I used water service pipe with a Bamboo ridge tied-in to make it rigid and draped the fleece over and used old scaffold poles to hold to the ground. I gathered the ends and tied them to a post either end of the row holding the triangles with 4 chunks of 4"x2" timber.
The Anti-white Fly netting is very expensive but nothing gets past it. The Keeled slugs that I mentioned previously come out of the soil and they move through the soil and are difficult to control.
With the netting the only thing that gets to the Slug Pellets is these small Keeled Slugs.
JB.
PS I am trialling the new Advanced Slug Pellets this year and these are harmless to anything other that Mollusc's.

[helixdesign]

Thanks John boy

I've got some waterpipe which I've used with netting over brassicas. My brain is too frazzled by young children to realise I could just use fleece instead of netting.

I'd be interested to now how you get on with the slug pellets.

Helix

[Johnboy]

Hi Helix,
I started my Carrots off using conventional pellets because I was unaware of the existence of the Advanced Pellets. As the life of the conventional pellets came to an end I have used the AP and they are coping well. In order to test the AP out I planted a bed of sacrificial Lettuce and have been pleasantly surprised with the result because whereas I expected quite a few losses I have actually got a decent crop and have not actually lost any.
JB.

[Compo]

Hi Gang

I understand the advanced pellets are organic or non chemical what is the brand name / availabilty pleae anyone.

Compo

[Johnboy]

Hi Compo,
I managed to get my first supply a Morrison's at £3.99for a 750g pack.
Advanced Slug Pellets are made of Ferric Phosphate which it appears is only harmful to Mollusc's.
This product does not have the SA logo so have no idea if this product is accepted as Organic by them or not.
It is produced by a Chemical Company in Germany and is marketed by Growing Success Organics Ltd.
www.growingsuccess.org.uk
JB.

[helixdesign]

Hi all
I've been using the advanced slug pellets and didn't even realise.

I bought mine from the Organic Gardening catalogue.

they are called
Growing Success advanced slug Killer

and it says they are certified for organic use.

Helix