where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

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jbclem
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where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#1

Post: # 36108Unread post jbclem
Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:02 am

I've had trouble with carrot seeds and low germination %. Even some that were only a year old. Are there any seed vendors that are know for having fresh seed?

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karstopography
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#2

Post: # 36109Unread post karstopography
Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:14 am

I’ve planted carrots this November and into December. A Nantes type ordered from Renee’s Garden, A Danvers type from Burpee, seed packet off the shelf from the big box store, and a couple of Asian red and purple types ordered online from Kitazawa. Seed all labeled for 2020. All have come up nicely except the ones I planted on December 10th, but I wasn’t expecting those to be up yet.
Zone 9b, located in the Columbia bottomlands, annual rainfall 46”

jbclem
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#3

Post: # 36111Unread post jbclem
Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:44 am

I used to buy Renee's Garden seeds at Orchard Supply. It took me about three or four years of extremely low germination rates (everything, not just carrots) to figure out there was something wrong with their seeds. This was years ago, so I hope they've improved...but it will be a long time before I try that company again.

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root_grow
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#4

Post: # 36155Unread post root_grow
Wed Dec 16, 2020 12:39 pm

Carrots can be tricky to get going. I've had the best germination from Baker Creek seeds of anywhere I've tried. I don't have a lot of experience with Renee's Garden, but I didn't notice any problems with the few I've had. It might be Orchard Supply causing your issues - some stores don't store their seeds properly. I've seen grocery stores set their seed racks outside in the sun, which is a great way to make sure those seeds don't last very long. Who knows what else those poor things have been through.

When I plant carrots, I scrape a shallow trench, sprinkle the seeds on top, water them, and put a 2x4 over them for several days to hold in the moisture. I've tried religiously watering them every day, every other day, but I get the best results with the 2x4. Just make sure to remove it when they start to come up.

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bower
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#5

Post: # 36178Unread post bower
Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:50 pm

Here in Canada, I bought carrot seeds last year from William Dam. They have good deals on large amounts of seed as well as small packets. Germination was great on all of their seeds. They serve the farming community as well as home gardeners, and their seed is always fresh.
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm

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Shule
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#6

Post: # 36180Unread post Shule
Wed Dec 16, 2020 4:02 pm

I don't often grow carrots (so, I can't comment without some research into packed for dates and purchase dates on my carrots), but Baker Creek sure is into carrot photography.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

jbclem
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#7

Post: # 36221Unread post jbclem
Thu Dec 17, 2020 5:26 am

root_grow, thanks for the 2x4 idea. I'll give it a try. And I'm just putting in an order with Baker Creek, 3 carrots (Cosmic Purple, New Kuroda, Koral) among other items. I figured that Baker Creek would be a good source, so your recommendation is well timed.

How many days did it take your carrots to germinate?

Growsomethinwithjeff
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#8

Post: # 36223Unread post Growsomethinwithjeff
Thu Dec 17, 2020 6:33 am

MI Gardener has good seeds for 99 cents a pack. I have had good luck with their seeds.

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root_grow
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#9

Post: # 36246Unread post root_grow
Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:13 am

No idea. In spring they take 2-3 weeks sometimes, but a couple times they've jumped up in a week. In summer they've ranged anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks.

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stone
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#10

Post: # 36308Unread post stone
Fri Dec 18, 2020 7:25 am

jbclem wrote: Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:02 am I've had trouble with carrot seeds and low germination %. Even some that were only a year old. Are there any seed vendors that are know for having fresh seed?
Where do you garden?
We need that information!

Like you, my carrots tend to be hit or miss... And age may not be the issue.
I've had seeds that were years old grow fine and fresh seed not so much.

I prefer to plant just before a rain... Sometimes i sprinkle seed in drills, and sometimes just broadcast on top of the beds... I think that planting in a trench works better...

Late Autumn planting seems to work well here, Feb planting is also good.

lee53011
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#11

Post: # 36346Unread post lee53011
Fri Dec 18, 2020 4:23 pm

My carrot seeds are 4 years old and they germinate fine. I store them in the refrigerator. I think it may be how you plant them. Or really, how you water them until they sprout. They need to stay moist for really good germination. Some people put a board on top of their rows, and only lift it up once a day until you see germination. Then take it off. Keeps the ground evenly moist, as well as your seeds.

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bower
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Re: where to buy fresh carrot seeds?

#12

Post: # 36356Unread post bower
Fri Dec 18, 2020 6:35 pm

I had an issue last year which I thought was seed germination. Everything under row cover, saw that plants were starting to come up, then when I uncovered it was just weeds and no carrots. This year I also had some question marks on the germination, but I uncovered and took pics when they were just sprouting and there were lots! Some days later, less. A week later, fewer! And so on. One bed I didn't get a single carrot. There is a slug around here that LOVES carrot seedlings, and it sure got into that bed. The other beds did fine. So if you have slugs, watch your bed like a hawk!
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm

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