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by Nika Kaiser 5 min read
Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables and for good reason. They are a superfood that has been around for centuries. Not only are they delicious and versatile, but they also offer a wealth of nutritional benefits. They are packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.Carrots are a great source ofvitamin A, vitamin K,and vitamin B6. They are also rich in the beta-carotene antioxidant which helps protect the body from damaging molecules, but also can be used for coloring food!
We will explore growing carrots, the colorful varieties, and even provide a delicious carrot recipe. So let's get started and explore the wonderful world of carrots!
There are many different types of carrots available for you to choose from. In addition to traditional orange carrots, there are also purple, black, red, white, and yellow varieties of carrots, as well as baby carrots!
Baby carrots are actually just normal carrots that have been cut and shaved into a convenient snacking size. You can use them for cooking, but we prefer cooking with big carrots and saving the baby ones for snacking!
Like other purple foods, purple carrots are packed with extra antioxidants. Some varieties of carrots are purple on the outside and orange on the inside. Purple carrots may have a slight peppery taste, and tend to have a much stronger "carrot" flavor. This taste is much more noticeable when eaten raw. Some types of purple carrots are used to make pigments for dying cloth and making paints.
Red carrots are red because of the same antioxidant found in tomatoes. Red carrots taste similar to orange carrots. They are better to eat cooked rather than raw, due to a slightly more woody texture that goes away when cooked.
White and golden carrots have a less earthy taste and can be sweeter than other carrot varieties. They tend to have a more tender texture. These ones are absolutely delicious when roasted or eaten raw!
Growing carrots at home is a wonderful way to add fresh, healthy vegetables to your diet. Carrots are a great addition to any garden as they are pretty easy to grow and don't need too much water or care. Get ready to reap the rewards of gardening with carrots!
Obtain carrot seeds from your local nursery, or try planting a carrot and letting it flower and go to seed.
To make things even simpler, use our Garden Kit to easily learn how to grow carrots and other vegetables! The kit includes seeds, a mini-greenhouse, an in-depth gardening guide, and more!
Germinate seeds following our Germination Guide. Carrots in particular like a germination temperature no lower than 40°F and no higher than 90°F. They should take between 7 and 21 days to germinate.
After the small sprouts you germinated have grown and are not so delicate anymore, carrot plants are ready to be transferred into the garden. Plant carrots in an area that gets 6-8 hours of sun, and maybe a bit of shade in the afternoon. In the large, deep pots or garden bed that you will be using for growing carrots, till the soil and aerate it so that the carrots can grow long and straight. Transplant carrot plants and plant about 4 inches apart from each other.
This handy chart comes from the booklet in our Garden Kit!
Harvest can begin a few weeks later when carrots have reached finger size. To check what size your carrots are, gently remove dirt to see how big the carrot root top is. When the carrots have reached a good size, harvest and enjoy!
Carrots are an incredibly versatile vegetable, and they can be used to create a variety of delicious dishes. Roasting carrots is one of the best ways to bring out their natural sweetness and flavor, making them perfect for any occasion.
Carrots taste even more amazing when roasted with a variety of flavors! Experiment with flavors to find your perfect personal carrot recipe. Here are some ideas to get you started:
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