Carrot St. Valery (James Scarlet)
Deliciously sweet and excellent for storing, the fine-grained orange-red roots of this historic variety, also known as James Scarlet, reach 12 inches long. In 1885, the famous French seed company Vilmorin-Andrieux declared that the variety had been cultivated for a long time, and in 1924 the company James Vick & Sons of Rochester, New York, declared that Saint-Valery was “the best and finest field-grown carrot…extremely productive”.
Technical sheet
Latin name Daucus carota Type Root Vegetable place of culture Garden Growth Type Bi-Annual Exposure Sun Depth/Distance 0.5cm / 1.25cm Row spacing
20 cm Harvest 80-90 days Sowing may June Harvest August September Successful sowing
Sow the seeds outdoors 3-4 weeks before the last spring frost or as soon as the ground can be worked. Keeping the soil moist throughout the germination period is important for success. It is recommended to mist the planted area daily or cover it. Carrots are slow to germinate and need constant moisture until germination. Thin out a first time to 4 or 5 leaves at 2 or 3 cm then at 7/8 cm. Hoe and weed regularly. Water in times of drought. Sow successively throughout the season to obtain fresh carrots.
Culture Friend
The onion, as well as the shallot, the leek or the garlic are beneficial to the carrot from which they repel the fly. Tomatoes, peas, lettuce and radishes provide a favorable environment for carrots. It is also advisable to sow a few radish seeds in the rows of carrots. On the other hand, avoid cultivating carrots alongside potatoes and dill.
enemies
The carrot fly is its main parasite. The larvae of this fly dig galleries in the roots going down towards the tip. The biggest infestations occur in July-August. Foliage of affected carrots turns yellow and wilts. The best means of control remains preventive, in particular thanks to good marriages. Decoctions of tansy and lavender can also contribute to the prevention of this fly.
the root aphid can also damage the carrot. It can be removed using a Anti-Aphids based on Pyrethrum , or by making a treatment based on Nettle manure