This months photos are of the various stages of ripeness of the umbel seed heads of Scarlet Nantes Carrots – Daucus carota subsp. Sativus. They show the progression of the flowers forming seeds and ripening in the sun. They are a bit late this year because we have been lacking sun especially in the upper mountains. At 38 days into the New Year of 2022 we have had 33 days of rain. Nantes carrots grow well in the mountains climate and form medium sized carrots that are shaped a bit like a tube rather that the classic pointed carrot shape. They have an excellent light carrot flavour, fine texture and red tinted orange flesh. The Nantes carrots were originally developed by the French seed company Vilmorin in the early 1850’s and were named after the city and region of Nantes in France. Carrots are a little tricky to save seed from as they are biennial which means they grow the first year, need a full winter rest when they die back to the root, and then they flower in the second summer and form seeds during that summer – so that’s a full 12-18 months before you get seed. But fresh home grown seed is ‘way better’ for germination when you grow your carrots in your home garden.
It’s that time again! This is just a quick reminder that the next scheduled meeting and the first for the year 2022 of the Mid Blue Mountains SeedSavers is on at the Bullaburra Progress Hall this coming weekend.
Sunday 20 February 2022 from 10 am till Midday
Help celebrate the Blue Mountains SUMMER!
This is our first meeting scheduled for this year.
And there is a lot to catch up with.
We are still following generally recommended social distancing guidelines to help everyone stay safe.
Our current Bullaburra hall use requirements are that we check in with the QR code for the hall located near the front entrance door.
Come along and talk about growing things with like minded people. Hope to see you there celebrating the current productive growing season!
Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers 