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This week: Carrots

Harvesting vegetables that grow under the ground can seem tricky. Take carrots as an example. We can’t see them and we can’t really prod them, so how do we know when they are ripe?

The foliage or leaves at the top of the carrot provide a good indication. When this is lush, it’s time to check the carrot.

Carefully brush away the soil at the base of the foliage. The top of the carrot should measure 2.5cm to 3cm, depending on the type of carrot that is growing. Gently feel along the length of the carrot under the dirt. If it is short, leave it for a few days before checking it again.

When they are ready, enjoy your carrots fresh from the patch, roast them with a sprinkling of thyme and olive oil, or grate them up to use in a delicious cake!

Lush leaves show that the carrot is ripe
Lush leaves show that the carrot is ripe
The top of a ready-to-pick carrot should measure between 2.5cm to 3cm depending on the variety
The top of a ready-to-pick carrot should measure between 2.5cm to 3cm depending on the variety

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