Organic Carrot Berlicum 2 - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds - Daucus carota

'Berlicum 2' is a popular and reliable main crop to late season variety. The stump-rooted, cylindrical carrots measure 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) on average, with smooth, deep orange skin. These crunchy and tasty carrots are of excellent quality. They store well. Please refer to cropping information Nos. 3, 4 and 5.

Carrots are biennial herbaceous plants, cultivated as annuals. They belong to the Apiaceae family (formerly Umbelliferae). This vegetable has highly divided leaves, and is grown for its fleshy roots. Carrots are generally orange and contain high quantities of carotene. Carrot plants average 30cm (12in) in height. They can be grown in most soil types, but best results will be achieved in rich, light, deep soil. It is essential to prepare the seed bed properly beforehand: dig over thoroughly in autumn, remove stones, and amend with 2-3kg of decomposed manure or compost. A fortnight before sowing, break up the soil with a rake and add slow-release fertiliser.

Harvesting: harvest maincrop carrots as and when required. Dig up the roots carefully with a garden fork. Damaged carrots will not store well. Yields depend on the variety and the type of crop. As a guideline, expect between 1 and 1.5 kg/m² for an early crop, about 3 kg/m² for a maincrop of stump-rooted carrots, and up to 5 kg for a late crop of long-rooted carrots.

Storage: carrots can be left in place until you are ready to harvest them. However, this method monopolises precious growing space, and the crop will need to be protected from winter frost damage under a good layer of mulch. Indoor storage is an excellent long-term option. Trim the leaves just above the root collar. Choose a frost-free and well-ventilated place. Lay out the roots on a bed of damp sand. Cover them with about 2cm (1in) of sand, top with another layer of carrots, and so on.

Good to know: sow radishes and carrots simultaneously in the same row to space out the seeds naturally and limit thinning. Radishes are harvested first, loosening the soil and leaving room for the carrots to grow. Planting leeks next to carrots helps both crops by repelling carrot flies, onion flies, and leek moths.

NB. Organic seeds (in French "AB" for "Agriculture Biologique") are produced from plants that are not treated with phytosanitary products (insecticides, weed killers). The seeds do not undergo post-harvest treatment. They carry the AB label and are approved by Ecocert, an independent body.