Carrot Nigel F1 - Daucus carota

The Nigel F1 carrot is a long, productive, and fast-growing variety. The root measures 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) long. It has smooth skin, light orange flesh, and a sweet flavour. Resistant to post-harvest cracking, it has good storage capabilities. Sow from March to June. Harvest from June to October.

The carrot is a biennial herbaceous plant, grown as an annual, belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is cultivated for its fleshy, edible, usually orange-coloured taproots. It is a root rich in carotene. It can generally reach a height of 30 cm (12in). Carrots are not very demanding in terms of soil type. However, the best roots will be harvested in a rich, light, and deep soil. Therefore, the soil should be well-prepared by deep digging in autumn, during which 2 to 3 kg of well-decomposed manure or compost will be incorporated. All stones should be removed during this operation. Before sowing, the soil should be well-crumbled and fertilized with a basal fertilizer, then left as is for about fifteen days. Sowing can then take place.

Harvest: during the season, harvest carrots as needed. To extract the roots from the soil, use a garden fork, taking care not to damage the root. Injuries to the roots can trigger carrot rot during storage.
Yields can be estimated based on the type of cultivation and carrot variety. As a guide, plan for between 1 and 1.5 kg/m² for early cultivation; about 3 kg/m² for seasonal cultivation of a medium-sized variety, and up to 5 kg for late cultivation of long carrots.

Storage: it can be done in the ground, on the cultivation site, but this ties up garden space. In winter, in this case, the roots will need to be protected from frost with a thick layer of dead leaves. Indoor storage is an excellent long-term solution. In a frost-free and well-ventilated place, cut the foliage close to the collar and place the roots next to each other on a bed of moist sand. Cover them with a 2 cm (1in) layer of sand and place the next row.

Gardening tips: 
Sowing radishes and carrots on the same row and at the same time naturally separates the carrot seeds. Once the radishes are harvested, it leaves space for the carrots to grow. It's a win-win thinning method! 
Sowing carrots near a row of leeks helps protect them both from carrot fly and leek moth.