Carrots not growing and taste like soil - Ask Extension
I moved into my home Sept 1 and planted carrots and beets from seed right away. I’ve never grown carrots or beets before. They are both growing heal...
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Carrots not growing and taste like soil #890227
Asked November 24, 2024, 10:56 AM EST
I moved into my home Sept 1 and planted carrots and beets from seed right away. I’ve never grown carrots or beets before. They are both growing healthy leaves but the roots themselves are tiny. The carrots are about 1-2” long and not seeming to get much bigger. I pulled a couple and tasted them and they don’t have any carrot taste they taste intensely like the soil.
The beets are also staying pretty small.
Did I just plant them too late and they aren’t getting enough hours of sun? Is there any chance of them growing bigger? I’ve built a hoop structure to have a hoop house through the winter but I wonder if these babies just aren’t going to get bigger.
Also, I’m wondering why the carrots have such a strong soil taste without any carrot taste. Is it just because they’re too small and haven’t yet taken on their carroty-ness? Or is something else going on?
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, Jessica. Carrots are deep-rooted, and need lots of loose soil around and below them in order to absorb the nutrients necessary for the "right" taste. Carrots' taste also varies among the many varieties available, and I don't have any information about your soil, nutrients available (typically through fertilizer), or the (summer) conditions, including water, sun and heat. Many gardeners report their carrots tasting like soap, a consequence of inadequate nutrients.
Beets need the same loose soil, need "ideal" temperatures, and the right mixture of moisture and nutrients. So, the success of these two crops, as well as most others, starts and ends with the medium they are grown in. With no information about your care of the growing plants, I can't diagnose what issue(s) are causing their failure to thrive.
I suggest that you read the following comprehensive Extension publication to gain an understanding of what is needed. You may have to change out the soil, move the garden to a different site, or apply more (or less) fertilizer and/or water.
Vegetable Gardening in Oregon | OSU Extension Service
Neither of these plant species needs winter protection (from hoop houses), and the hoops won't solve the other issues. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
Beets need the same loose soil, need "ideal" temperatures, and the right mixture of moisture and nutrients. So, the success of these two crops, as well as most others, starts and ends with the medium they are grown in. With no information about your care of the growing plants, I can't diagnose what issue(s) are causing their failure to thrive.
I suggest that you read the following comprehensive Extension publication to gain an understanding of what is needed. You may have to change out the soil, move the garden to a different site, or apply more (or less) fertilizer and/or water.
Vegetable Gardening in Oregon | OSU Extension Service
Neither of these plant species needs winter protection (from hoop houses), and the hoops won't solve the other issues. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
