Planting Broccoli, Cauliflower & Carrots

Last night (April 29th) we got out in the garden and were able to plant!  Its always exciting when you have more plants and seeds going into your raised beds.  I had spent the week before slowly hardening off the broccoli and cauliflower plants we had started from seed.   It was also time to get the carrot seeds in the ground.  We decided to split up the work and my husband planted the carrot seeds while I planted the broccoli and cauliflower. 

Bed #3  Onions & Peas growing well. Time to add the carrots!

Our second year gardening (in a 4 x 4 space) I attempted to grow carrots.  The rabbits nibbled through my plastic chicken wire fence and mowed down the carrots before they had a chance to get through the first month.  This year we have decided to try again and my husband read up on some important tips to make sure you have a great crop of carrots. 

 

Step 1: Loosen up the soil

Step 2: Add Bone Meal

Bone Meal sprinkled on bed

Step 3: Mix Bone Meal into the soil

Step 4: Put 2 seeds in each location and keep them on the surface of the soil

Step 5: Cover seeds with vermiculite

Step 6: Repeat process until all seeds are planted

Almost done!

 

Step 7:  Cover seeds with burlap.  Soak burlap with water to keep moisture in.

 Planting the Broccoli and Cauliflower was a very simple process compared to planting the carrots.   The important part to remember is to disturb the roots as little as possible when planting. 

Step 1: Layout the plants in 1 foot spacing

Step 2: Dig hole 3 inches deep and carefully put plant in hole.

Step 3: Fill hole with soil. 

Its also helpful to make a saucer like depression around each plant to help hold water.  Finish with firming the soil around the plant and watering the seedlings thoroughly.