Carrot Presto F1 coated Seeds - Vilmorin seeds - Daucus carota

The Presto Carrot is an early and productive variety, producing long and cylindrical roots. The seeds are coated to allow for better germination and easier handling for sowing. Sow from January (in a heated greenhouse) to April for a harvest from April to August. The carrot is appreciated for its sweet and sugary flavor as well as its multiple uses: grated, in soups, or as a side dish for meats and fish.

The Carrot is a biennial herbaceous plant, grown as an annual, belonging to the Apiaceae family (formerly Umbelliferae). This vegetable with highly divided leaves is cultivated for its fleshy roots. Depending on the varieties, they can be long, medium-length, or sometimes round. Carrots are usually orange in colour but can also be yellow, white, or purple. Carrots, rich in carotene, can be consumed both raw and cooked. Their greens are delicious in soups.

In the vegetable garden, sow in a sunny or semi-shaded location. Carrots are not demanding on soil type. However, the best roots will be harvested from a rich, light, sandy soil. It is important to prepare the soil by deep digging (30 cm (12in)) in autumn, during which 2 to 3 kg of well-rotted manure or compost will be incorporated. All stones should be removed during this process. Sowing takes place from February (in a greenhouse) to July.

Harvesting: Depending on the variety, carrots are harvested 3 to 6 months after sowing. During the season, harvest carrots as needed. To remove roots from the soil, use a garden fork, taking care not to damage the root. Injuries to the roots can lead to 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, in the growing area, but this occupies a space in the vegetable garden. In this case, protect the roots from frost with a thick layer of dead leaves. The simplest method is indoor storage. After harvesting, cut the foliage at the collar level. In a frost-free and well-ventilated place, place the roots side by side on a bed of sand. Cover them with a 2 cm (1in) layer of sand and place the next row.

Gardener's Tip:
Two tips to limit weed growth:

- do a false sowing: about 2 to 3 weeks before sowing, prepare the soil finely. Wait for the adventive weed seeds 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.

- sow radishes and carrots in the same row and at the same time. Once the radishes are harvested, it will create space for the carrots to grow.