Pick the perfect root with carrots

THE simple fact that there is no comparison between the sweet earthy flavour of homegrown carrots compared to the insipid supermarket offerings makes these fussy growers totally worth the effort.

Carrots hate growing in freshly manured ground but will appreciate beds that have received a generous application of garden compost — and they grow happily in containers.

They require well-worked sandy soil free from stones, not heavy clay conditions. As their roots do not respond to transplanting — carrots must be direct sown. Since it is the root that is destined for the table, it makes sense to adhere to this rule and most definitely avoid any absurd commercial options such as buying carrots as plug plants for transplanting.