Carrots & beetroot - when ready?

 How do you know when carrots & beetroot are ready to pick?
Thanks
Sandra

 Sandra Bodycoat wrote:

Anytime you think they're big enough.Thought it helps not to let any of
them split before or get really old before you pick them size and
experience will be some guide. It also depends on the type of carrot.
Beetroot has a  couple of varieties but is easier to pick out as being
harvestable.  If you pick them to thin them out its usually the way to
start learning about size. Baby beets to larger sizes 10 to 12 weeks is
a guide.


Carrots can be hard to judge.

The tops of the carrot will show at the soil line and you can

gage when the diameter looks right for your variety.

If the diameter looks good, chances are the length is fine too.

But you will need to pull one to be certain.

Carrots can be left in the ground once mature.

A light frost is said to improve and sweeten the carrot’s flavor.



More information
A great website >>> http://www.organicdownunder.com/site%20index.htm

Some dates for sowing. For Queenslanders only But can be adapted
to suit your own states.
 >>>>  http://www.organicdownunder.com/Monthly%20Hints.htm

This  site is also a bit of a surprise, being a disability site, but
still useful.
  >>>>
http://nps718.dhs.vic.gov.au/ds/disabilitysite.nsf/sectionthree/edible_gardens?open

 

When they look big enough ;-)

No, seriously.  Feel around the top for the carrot's "shoulders' to see if
it's the right size.  Remember that carrots need to be progressively thinned,
as a rule, and young carrots are lovely when steamed.

Beetroot is the same.  Don't let them get too big -- they can get to 15+ cm
across if you let them, but they'll be woody.  5-7cm is a better size.

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"Parenthood is like the modern stone washing process for denim jeans. You may
start out crisp, neat and tough, but you end up pale, limp and wrinkled."
Kerry Cue