Carrot De Tilques - Daucus carota

Daucus carota 'Tilques' is an ancient and traditional variety from Northern France. This late and very hardy carrot produces large roots (20 to 30cm (8 to 12in) long). It boasts very good yields while and is adapted for storage. Its orange-red flesh is tasty and aromatic. Sow the seeds from March to July for a harvest from June to mid-December.

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. Depending on the varieties, they can be long, medium-long, or sometimes round. Carrots are generally orange in colour, but can also be yellow, white, or purple. Carrots are rich in carotene, and can be consumed raw or cooked. Their leaves are delicious in soups.

Sow in a sunny or semi-shaded location. Carrots are not demanding when it comes to soil type. However, the best roots will be harvested in rich, light soil with a sandy tendency. Prepare the soil well by digging deep in autumn and adding 2 to 3kg of well-decomposed manure or compost. All stones should be removed at this stage. Sowing takes place from February (under shelter) to July.

Harvest: depending on the variety, carrots are harvested 3 to 6 months after sowing. During the season, harvest carrots as needed. Use a fork to extract the roots from the soil, taking care not to damage the root. Injuries to the roots can trigger carrot rot during storage. Let the roots dry on the ground and in the sun for half a day.

Storage: in regions with mild winters, carrots can be stored in the ground, on the cultivation site, but this immobilises a growing space in the vegetable garden. In winter, protect the roots that remain in the ground from frost with a good layer of dead leaves. The simplest option is indoor storage. After harvesting, cut the foliage at the collar level. In a frost-free and well-ventilated place, place the roots next to each other on a bed of sand. Cover them with a 2cm (1in) layer of sand and place the next row.

Gardener's tip:  there are 2 ways to limit weed growth. One way is to make a false sowing. About 2 to 3 weeks before sowing, prepare the soil finely. Wait for the weed seeds present in the soil to start germinating. As soon as they appear, rake the surface in a cross pattern to eliminate these seedlings. You can then start sowing your carrots. Alternatively, sow radishes and carrots on the same row and at the same time. Once harvested, the radishes will leave room for the carrots to grow.