This month’s seed kit features Carrots-Rainbow Blend. To support our environment, some seed kit materials are now available digitally. Follow the link to download a planting log.

Carrots-Rainbow Blend

The seeds in this package will include one or more of the following colorful carrot varieties: Atomic Red, Bambino Orange, Cosmic Purple, Lunar White, and Solar Yellow. All are sweet-tasting, tender, and sure to be the center of attention at your table!

Planting Instructions

Culture: Carrots prefer cool weather, a sunny location, and loose, rich soil. To help the taproot grow straight, loosen the soil to a depth of about 8 inches and remove stones before sowing seed. If growing in a container, ensure the container is deep enough to accommodate a taproot of at least 8 inches.

Sow seeds about 1/4-1/2 inches deep in rows about one foot apart.  Thin to about 3 inches apart after plants are an inch or two tall. To avoid disturbing the roots of neighboring plants, thin by cutting the tops with scissors. Carrots do not transplant well, so start them in the container or location you intend to keep them in.

Water:  Keep soil moist, but not saturated, until seedlings emerge in 14-21 days (longer during freezing temperatures). Thereafter, water as needed to prevent the soil from completely drying out. Mulch lightly to conserve moisture.

Harvest:  Reaches maturity in about 70 days. Harvest by loosening the soil around the plant and gently pulling.

Culinary Tips: Carrots are great for roasting, grilling, or even juicing! It also adds an interesting color to salads.

More About Carrots-Rainbow Blend

Did you know that the first carrots were not orange? Ancient wild carrots were mostly white. Some yellow, red, purple, blue, and black varieties were also around. The orange color we are so familiar with today was a genetic defect, but one that made the carrot more healthful as it provides the alpha and beta-carotenes that are converted by the body into Vitamin A.

Domesticated carrots of all colors are a good source of fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants.

Carrots are also part of the parsley family, which includes celery, fennel, parsnips, coriander, and cumin. Seeds of wild carrots have been found dating back over 10,000 years, with the first domesticated carrots appearing on the Iranian Plateau almost 5,000 years ago. In ancient times, carrots originally were used mostly as medicine, but they are a tasty treat!

Carrot Ginger Soup

 Serves: 4    Prep time: 10 minutes   Cook Time: 45 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs. of carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp. ginger, grated
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil or butter
• 1 tsp. of kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. of ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. coconut milk or cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until translucent (7-9 minutes)
2. Add the garlic and ginger to the pot and stir for 1-2 minutes. Add diced carrots into the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour in the vegetable broth and add the bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until carrots are soft when pierced with a fork.
4. Remove the bay leaf. Transfer to a blender or blend the soup with an immersion blender. Blend until smooth. If the soup is too thick, add a little water.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Optional: Drizzle 1 tbsp. of coconut milk or cream on top.

Craft: Bee Hotel

You’ll Need:

• Tin Can
• Sandpaper
• Paper Straws,
• Reeds, or Rolled Paper Tubes
• Toilet Paper Roll Tube
• Twigs
• String or Yarn

Instructions:

1. Carefully remove the lid and label(s) from your tin can, clean, and pat dry.
2. Use sandpaper to remove any sharp edges on the can.
3. Decorate your can with paint, paper, stickers, etc.
4. Cut paper straws, reeds, or paper (for rolled paper tubes) to be a bit shorter than the can.
5. If you are rolling paper tubes, use a pencil to roll paper tubes several times. The tubes should be fairly thick.
6. Place your paper straws, reeds, or paper tubes inside the can. If you have a toilet paper roll tube, place your smaller tubes inside.
7. Use twigs to fill any gaps and secure your tubes in the can.
8. Once completed, hang your Bee Hotel in a sunny location!