Can I grow carrots in a container? | Winter vegetables in an unheated greenhouse

I have carrots in the raised beds which have sprouted but they are tiny and I have carrots in the greenhouse which are much bigger but I'm not sure I want to put them out in the raised beds now so I was thinking, can I just put them in pots (containers) in the greenhouse and see how they do? Winter veg in an unheated greenhouse, what do we think?
Since, generally, my garden is a container garden anyway (raised beds are technically containers), I figured why not give it a try. So let's sow some carrots in pots in the greenhouse, plant up the carrot seedlings into pots in the greenhouse and then do the same in the raised bed and now have an interesting winter veg experiment. Let’s see how winter veg grows in an unheated greenhouse in Scotland.
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[@eliandkate]

Sometimes you just need a wee adventure.... and carrots can be exciting, yeah?

[@patienceboggis4956]

Just sowed my Eskimo variety of carrots in containers after watching this video, you gave me courage to just try and experiment it doesn’t matter if it works! Thank you so much!!

[@eliandkate]

I'm so glad to hear you are feeling inspired. Losing that fear of thjngs not working is when gardening truly be omes fun. And when you start to learn loads I can't wait to hear how it goes... maybe we'll all have decent carrots for april

[@michaeld.3779]

We planted carrots in large black cloth containers, without any hope that they’d actually germinate (the temps are getting quite low here at night) in our new unheated greenhouse. Two weeks passed and nothing, so I stopped watering the black bags; but a few more days passed and about 100 carrot seedlings sprouted up. I’ll water from time to time and see what happens. Good luck with yours, Eli.

[@eliandkate]

Awesome they've germinated Michael and a valuable lesson learned for next year :) Dampen the soil before you sow and then dont water again. Too much water can actually stop your seeds from germinating, so a wee bit of patience and then very very light watering once they come up :) Looking forward to seeing how we all do...

[@jenkitching43]

Eli, you are a good teacher, a natural. You explained things so well which was really helpful to me as a new gardener. Thank you.

[@Dunken_Donut]

A perfect Irish accent. Now, this is who I want to learn gardening from. Great video!

[@eliandkate]

Em….. no… I don’t have an Irish accent 😂😂😂😂 I’m Scottish 😀😀😀

[@JBNat]

:o I've never used newspaper at the bottom of my pots! I still use crocs (crocks?) from time to time but I hate it - it always ends up getting where it's not meant to be! Lovely having your hydrangeas as a background for these shots :) Can't wait to see the results of your experiment - if I find some time maybe I'll try it too!

[@eliandkate]

Thanks JB. Go on, join the carrot gang :) be one of the cool kids :p

[@steveday4797]

I'm doing a similar thing, my carrot growing adventures were a complete failure this year. My daughter was throwing out a broken storage tub, I filled it up with soil and threw it some seeds, so far so good, they are in my greenhouse and growing quite well, maybe carrots for Christmas:)

[@eliandkate]

Oh awesome.... are we having a carrot off?????

[@steveday4797]

@@eliandkate I will concede now, my ability to grow root vegetables is abysmal. If the competition was for carrot tops I'd be in with a chance lol

[@charlotteoleary196]

I love the newspaper trick! I was using crocks (I took a rubber mallet to all our old terracotta pots) but then I potted up way too many peonies and used them all up. I will try the newspaper next time I am potting up.

[@eliandkate]

I find less and less people have crocks these days. Terracotta pots are so expensive so we’re always really careful not to break ours…. Newspaper does a great job

[@BazGriffo]

Looking forward to seeing the results Eli.. You've inspired me yet again, think I'll have a go to 👍😀

[@eliandkate]

Go on Barrie... I'm right there with you :)

[@paulhopkins3815]

You guys are brilliant. It’s thanks to you that I found quickgrow and from this post I have learnt something else.

[@eliandkate]

Oh thanks Paul, I'm glad the videos and blogs have been useful :)

[@antonia5682]

I'm so doing this too! I tried to grow Flyaway F1 in the summer in a pot, but the pot was too crowded and I got millions of tiny carrots. I'm going to be sensible and start with a root trainer this time and see how it goes over the winter in the greenhouse. I'm still a bit traumatised by how quickly my onions succumbed to fungus/rot in there, but am telling myself that's a thing that onions are particularly susceptible to, that other veg may not be. *crosses fingers*

[@eliandkate]

Wooohoooo carrot buddies

[@antonia5682]

@@eliandkate LOL!! Absolutely! I didn't think of sowing carrots over winter, but why not?

[@JBNat]

Hi Antonia, did you grow the onions in fresh compost? If you used soil it's possible that it was contaminated with Onion White Rot Spores. It's a pretty evil fungus that lives in the soil for years and years. Can be pretty devastating! I lost about half my onions to it this year.

[@preppernut]

I love your enthusiasm. I like experimenting too, so this year we will take it one step further and try to see how far into the winter we can keep harvesting by using an extra cold frame and a light bulb for heat. By the way, many years ago, before I knew about some seeds not germinating after a few years, I bought a pound of carrot seeds because it was really cheap. After a few years, upon discovering my mistake, I decided not to throw those seeds out and instead, mix them in with small amounts of fresh seed, counting on a whole bunch of them not to sprout to reduce thinning.

[@eliandkate]

Most excellent plan 😜

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

This experiment will be interesting. Newspaper! Great idea.

[@eliandkate]

I think so too! I'll keep you all up to date

[@katereston]

Great 'tutorial' thanks so much - love the idea about newspapers - as i struggle to find crocks around now too!!

[@eliandkate]

Glad it was helpful! I'm with you, I don't know anyone who has crocs, so mostly we all just do our best :D

[@pamelamartinez2227]

I ALWAYS enjoy and appreciate your videos! From Las Vegas, NM - USA. Thank you! I am not very new to gardening but I would not say I am a seasoned gardener. I just recently retired and throughout my busy life and career as a speech therapist I had very little time to garden. I am getting a 10x14 glass greenhouse in June. That’s when it will ship! So excited! I grew up with a greenhouse as a young child and look forward to learning all I can. So happy to watch and learn from you. ~ Pam

[@eliandkate]

So nice of you

[@BuyingThyme]

I love a good garden experiment! 😍

[@eliandkate]

Me too.... it's pretty much how I learn.

[@marie-theresehayes6875]

Loving your videos. So much great information. Going to have to use the greenhouse way more to bring things on. Planted lettuce and pak choi a few weeks ago and they have all been eaten!

[@eliandkate]

Oh no! I feel your pain… it’s a constant battle

[@MrJimmuck]

I grow all my carrots in pots from seed. Just make sure you sieve the soil ... as you know anything the carrot roots hit basically knacker the fruits. Jim

[@wendylundie4473]

Have tried this, fingers crossed it works, first time🤞🤞

[@eliandkate]

I am well chuffed.... Will showing you guys the result in the next few weeks 😀

[@barbsdee3831]

Have you done an update on your carrots Eli? I’m loving your videos and as a ‘waiting to start’ gardener I’m learning lots so thank you x

[@eliandkate]

I've not done a single update, but showed them in the random vlogs, like sunday's video. Where are you? Are you gardening in beds outdoor or a greenhouse etc?

[@barbsdee3831]

@@eliandkate I live in Lincolnshire on the east coast of England. I haven’t got a greenhouse yet but an unheated conservatory. I’m going a try no dig in shallow raised beds when the season permits me to sew directly outdoors. I’m only growing a few things to start with x

[@eliandkate]

oh a wee raised bed will be fab. And save you overtaking your conservatory I grow beetroot, carrots, courgettes, garlic, and strawberries in mine :D

[@OliveCityOasis]

Really enjoyed your video. I love experimenting in the garden! (Love my hori hori, too!) One of my current garden goals is more success with carrots. ☺️ I'd like to get a jump start with them as you do. What brand(s) of root trainers do you recommend? I didn't see one listed in your description, though I might have missed it. The few I've found on Amazon have reviews saying how flimsy they are... Suggestions? 😊 Thanks!

[@eliandkate]

I absolutely recommend the jump start. I haven't posted a link to the root trainers as I haven't found any yet that aren't a bit flimsy. I mean to be honest they are fine as long as you are careful but I wouldn't want anyone to be disappointed. I just got them on amazon for few quid. You could start off with a cheap set and see how you go :)

[@OliveCityOasis]

@@eliandkate That's what I was thinking. Sounds like a good plan. Thanks! 😊

[@perculiar_daughter]

Just found you!!! Love the experiment. Fab video 😁

[@eliandkate]

Hey, glad to have you with us 😍 Wow I’d forgotten about this video….. the latest experiment is with peppers 😂

[@perculiar_daughter]

@@eliandkate It seems I have a lot of catching up to do and may binge watch the videos I haven't seen. You came up as I am planting carrots in containers this year and needed inspiration. I'm subscribed and look forward to learning more from you. Xx

[@eliandkate]

Just don’t spend all your time sitting on the screen 😂😂😂😂

[@suejackson9209]

Excellent video. So many great ideas here. Best wishes

[@eliandkate]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video:)

[@ClaireMichelle101]

Oh i didnt know about the newspaper trick

[@davidthescottishvegan]

Excellent video Eli and I tried to grow carrots but unfortunately it was a failure which suggests a problem with the soil. I can't put compost in the soil because carrots don't like soil that's recently been composted or manured( it causes forking). Will fertiliser help to provide the necessary nutrients that they need to germinate? (because I sowed the seeds directly into the soil). It could also be that the soil isn't sandy enough.

[@eliandkate]

Sorry to hear that :( I always think of carrots as one of the easiest of my crops, but I think I am super lucky because I have raised beds. Makes it easier. Yeah this is what I do. I add my compost and dig it through in winter so the bed gets a good few months rest before I sow. I also make sure that the compost for the bed I'm growing carrots in is sieved to get the bigger pieces out (cause these are what causes wonky when the tip comes against them and forks to get around it -cause carrots are lazy!!). Then any nutrition needed I add to the soil either as dry or water soluble, as and when required, disturbing the soil as little as possible. Go for a potassium rich fertiliser rather than nitrogen. The reason you don't want to use manure is because of the high nitrogen content in fresher - the nitrogen can cause hairy carrots ( I always laugh) and branching / forking but proper mature stuff should be ok. The soil in my beds is beautifully loose so I've never had to add sand, but I do know a few folks who grow carrots in pure sand, they swear by it.

[@davidthescottishvegan]

@@eliandkate Thanks for the advice.

[@louisereddall8789]

Hi have only started growing things this year, and have been watching your videos, very helpful, I got me a greenhouse, what month is it best to do carrots seeds in pots in the greenhouse like in your video

[@eliandkate]

I'm imagining you are Scottish if you are asking without giving details, but generally, I would only bother doing carrots in pots in the greenhouse like this if you are trying to get a jump start on next year, so basically early autumn. Once you are into the new year you are as well just sowing in spring as normal :D

[@stormwilde3145]

I have a huge container of carrots in my unheated greenhouse so yes go for it 👍

[@eliandkate]

Yay!!!!! Excellent news. All excited now.

[@brianeasson889]

Grear video Eli, tried carrots for the first time this year in big pots, lots of short dumpy or misshapen ones , have bought some root trainers. Quick question, greenhouse not yet up due to weather and work, is it worth trying indoors in root trainers? 😀

[@eliandkate]

Hey Brian, ah yes dummy and misshapen is usually down to the soil. If it's not loose enough or has bits in it, that can cause the wonky shape. Cloggy soil can cause dumpty carrots. I wouldnt worry about root trainers particularly, you can just sow directly into the pot. You could try indoors but thebthkng you need to be aware of is light. Even in a sunny window sill, you can get leggy, scrawny seedlings desperately trying to reach the light. So be mindful of that :)

[@brianeasson889]

@@eliandkate Thanks Eli, I'll bare that in mind :)

[@susanmcquade1614]

Hey love your videos so much information in them. One thing I am wondering is how do I find out what zone I stay in and when the first and last frost ? 🌱🌱🌱

[@eliandkate]

Hey Susan, Remembering I live in the UK, we don't use zones so I can't help with that as its a US thing. The UK is too small to really need zones, although to be honest, I don't really think it's a valuable way to teach gardeners. But for frost dates local gardening associations can usually help and there are a few good websites that offer that kind of info. Have a wee Google search for last frost date and your city and you should get a few options. Remember hough, they are average dates, not set in stone....

[@susanmcquade1614]

@@eliandkate im in the uk as well not to far from glasgow lol.i will be on them soon cant wait to get bk at it.

[@evelyny7037]

Quick question from a total newbie to gardening. Just got my Harbor Freight 6x8 greenhouse up and the we put pea gravel on top of weed blocker plastic, to keep fire ants out. Can I still set my pots on the ground?

[@eliandkate]

Not sure if it’s the weed blocker you are worried about or the pea gravel but there’s no reason why you can’t put your pots on the ground. I’m assuming the weed blocker is at least slightly pours (to allow drainage)? It’s always super exciting when you get a new greenhouse. I remember mine, I was a super excited puppy for weeks

[@evelyny7037]

You are a doll! Thx for helping me! 🌻☀️☺️

[@photodiagnostics]

Hi Eli, great video. Just wondering which root trainers have you tried and found useful for carrots? Are there different types? Also what’s the size of the pots you used (depth wise )? Cheers

[@eliandkate]

Hey Afik, I think root trainers are just standard to be honest, it was just cheapie things I bought online. Pots are 9 litre pots, so about 12 inches tall.

[@Lord-Murdoch-69]

Hello from Toronto Canada 🇨🇦 I'm new to this discipline, and I'm considering a portable greenhouse on my balcony. I live on the second floor so the height isn't a concern. Temperature in the winter is a concern, I've been told that growing through the winter months is a no no. If that's how it is, then so be it😂. But at the same time, if cool weather growing is possible, what are you using for heating? Keep up the great work. Subscribing...

[@eliandkate]

Hey George The winter temps are very different here, I can grow hardy veg without the need for heating.

[@Lord-Murdoch-69]

@eliandkate You're in Scotland, aren't you? Right now, we are -18°c I assumed that we were pretty close. Assumptions got me again. 😊

[@eliandkate]

oh no George, not even close.... it's very unusual for us to go below minus 5c (it will in the highlands but not here) and even when we do, it's never for more than a few days. We generally hover between 2c and minus 2c over Nov to Feb with the odd drop for a few days then back again. The dark and wet is more a problem for us.

[@alanhealey7885]

Great tips, @HGV on you tube grows everything in 10" pots he gets some great crops. He uses a grid method so no thinning out for carrots.

[@eliandkate]

Thanks for the info!

[@rosepetal45]

Hi. Just wondering if carrots are frost hardy?

[@eliandkate]

In my region yup, carrots cope pretty well with the frost and even frozen ground. Although it's really wet here, winter doesn't usually see temperatures much bellow -6 and we don't even get a lot of snow.

[@georgedunkley3867]

I need to know the results! Where do I find the follow up video please 😃

[@eliandkate]

There were a couple, one the following March and one in June

[@louisereddall8789]

What is the best month to do carrots in the greenhouse like you had done in your video x

[@eliandkate]

Hey Louise I replied to your last comment

[@louisereddall8789]

@@eliandkate sorry I'm in the west Midlands and I am learning lots from your videos, and you have some great ideas

[@eliandkate]

@louisereddall8789 fab if something we do can give you a little bit of inspiration 😁

[@louisereddall8789]

@@eliandkate yes you definitely do can't wait for new videos

[@eliandkate]

Ha ha ha well if you are at this one, there are years more videos to keep you going until the next new one 😍

[@rodanandfieldsskincaredebb2815]

So how did the experiment turn out? Is there a video to show us?

[@eliandkate]

There are always videos as the experi.ents progress. I tend to make weekly vlogs of what's going on rather than a specific video of just one topic so if you search for carrots and check out the videos after that date you'll be able to follow the story 😀 The final video is labeled carrot disaster I think... althought it's not as simple as it sounds 🤣🤣🤣

[@GoGoHarris]

Great video Eli. Have you seen Home Grown Veg on You Tube. He's great. He grows lots of veg in containers. I do have to speed him up though ;)

[@eliandkate]

Oh no I haven't. I'll go have a nosey today, thanks. Why do you need to speed him up? Is he chilled?

[@GoGoHarris]

He's so chilled, lol

[@eliandkate]

does he not have a head???

[@GoGoHarris]

Hahaha!

[@johnw5154]

What is the knife you are using as dibber?

[@eliandkate]

ahhh that's my horihori - it's a Japanese gardening tool, a cross between a trowel and a root knife. My favourite and most used tool in the garden :D Watch out... I'm going to be giving one away in the next few weeks :D

[@johnw5154]

@@eliandkate arhh cool. Loving the videos by the way. Have ordered some quad grow kit but sadly very delayed in shipping. :( So just hoping it arrives soon.

[@eliandkate]

yeah I think everyone is dealing with delayed shipping just now :(

[@TheTravelingCanadianFoodie]

Did u ever do a later update to the carrots?? If so I can't find the video...pls help

[@eliandkate]

Remember that for the majority of videos I do vlogs. Do I wont just do a video of here's here's carrot update. There will be general updates in lots of videos as the year goes on. However.... I know gor definite the final review is called carrot disaster or something like that.

[@louisereddall8789]

Hi any chance I can get in your discord sever please

[@eliandkate]

here you go Louise discord.gg/FYcKm5ME