What is the secret to growing carrots?
A. Take a leave of absence from your job. Q. I beg your pardon? A. I’m sorry, but it’s the only way. Carrots do fine once they get going. But starting the seeds requires your undivided attention for about three weeks. Growing carrots involves two main challenges. First, the seeds take so long to germinate that by the time they sprout I’ve usually forgotten I planted them there, so I mistake them for weeds and pull them up. Second, carrots demand an environment that is uniformly moist at all times. Water too much, and the tiny seeds will wash away. But if the soil dries out, even for a split second, the seeds will die. The only solution is to plan your annual vacation to coincide with carrot-planting time. Cancel your trip to the beach and take a garden holiday instead. The kids won’t care: digging and playing in the garden dirt is just as much fun as the sand at the beach. Set up a lounge chair, bring a book, don’t forget the sunscreen. But whatever you do, don’t take your eyes off the
