Carrot Flakkee 2

Carrot Flakkee 2 — variety description

Carrot Flakkee 2 (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a biennial crop grown for harvest in the first year, of the celery family (Apiaceae). Winter carrot Flakkee 2 is the best-grown, most popular and best-known winter carrot variety.

It needs more time than other carrot varieties to grow, but the very good flavour, good storage qualities and the fact that it can cope with all types of soil, even clay, make this variety worth growing.

But it is also a very good, tasty winter carrot that stores very well. It can be harvested after about 100-120 days, but 180-185 days are needed for full maturity. Carrots can be left in the soil in milder conditions.

Carrots bring an abundance of nutrients to the table, as well as a burst of colour. They are rich in vitamin A, which helps prevent poor vision.

Carrot is one of the most beneficial vegetables — rich in beta-carotene, sweet and crunchy. Early varieties are for fresh eating, late ones for winter storage.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 85%
• Seeds per packet: 1445–1955 pcs (2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March – June; direct
• Harvest: September – November
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Carrot Flakkee 2

Carrot Flakkee 2 seeds are sown in March – June. The crop is harvested in September – November. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Carrot Flakkee 2

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 1–1.5 cm
• Spacing: 3–5 cm in the row (after thinning), 25–30 cm between rows
• Germination: 10–21 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Start sowing 3 weeks before the last frost until midsummer. Sow thinly, thin to 5-7 cm apart. The larger the carrot variety, the more space is needed between them. Soil moisture must be maintained regularly until germination; letting the soil dry out during this period may lead to a poorer crop. Carrots require light soil in sun, adequate moisture and moderate feeding. Optimal soil temperatures are 15-25 °C. The cooler the soil, the longer germination takes, up to 3 weeks. Carrots planted for a summer harvest will stay in the ground for a few weeks, but tend to split if left in the ground too long. Late-season carrots store longer and become sweeter in cooler weather. They are ready for harvest two and a half months after planting, when their diameter reaches about 1-2 cm or the desired size.

Sow directly into deeply loosened, light soil free of stones and fresh manure — in heavy soil the roots fork. Keep the soil moist until emergence; thin in good time.

Harvest and use

Early carrots are harvested 70–90 days after sowing, and late ones in October for storage in sand.

Frequently asked questions

When should Carrot Flakkee 2 be sown?

The recommended months for sowing are March – June. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 1445–1955 seeds, pack size 2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 85%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why do carrots germinate slowly?

The seeds contain essential oils and germinate in 2–3 weeks. Keep the soil constantly moist or cover it with fleece.

Why do carrots fork?

From stony or heavy soil and fresh manure. Sow in light, deeply cultivated soil.