To any lettuce or carrot growers...

Beebee09

I just planted some seeds for romaine and carrots a few weeks ago.  I have a couple questions I'd love some advice with:

First, they are sprouting great but since they were really hard to get just one or two seeds they are loaded with seedlings.  I'm not sure how to separate them easily without destroying the roots.  

Second, can you plan either in a deep container?  I have limited room in my raised bed and was hoping to put one or two of them in a container.

Any other tips on growing these two veggies are also appreciated.  I usually stick with tomatoes, zucchini and squash so these are a little more scary for me  

Thanks for any advice.

 

WendyGR

Lettuce is easily grown in a container, not sure about carrots. I guess it's possible, but would think that raised beds would be a better place for them.

I have a ton of seedlings too, I'm going to wait until they are 2-3" tall and then thin them out with gardening scissors. 

Beebee09

WendyGR:

Lettuce is easily grown in a container, not sure about carrots. I guess it's possible, but would think that raised beds would be a better place for them.

I have a ton of seedlings too, I'm going to wait until they are 2-3" tall and then thin them out with gardening scissors. 

Great idea, I think I'll do this, too.

Maybe I'll do the lettuce in the container and the carrots in the bed.  

Thanks! 

pdxmouse

Yeah, thin them out by pinching or snipping off the extras. If you yank you'll disturb the roots of the ones you want to keep.I'm sometimes able to transplant lettuce, but I don't mind taking the risk because it sprouts so quickly anyway.

Lettuce is easy to grow in a container. I've also seen them in hanging baskets, and once in a kissing ball. 

I have not had good luck growing carrots in a container. I was told it might be because the extra pressure from the sides of the container and the differences in drainage. You might have better luck though.

Snowful

I've planted lettuce in a container and it's done great.  I've never tried that with carrots though... I just grow them in my raised bed.  As for thinning them out, I would just pinch back a few of the smaller seedlings between my thumb and forefinger so you won't disturb the roots.  I think lettuce and carrots are so easy to grow and very rewarding!

Mrs.Rad888

My whole garden is in containers. Last year, the lettuce came in with no problem (Actually, I should say that the second batch came in with no problem). With the carrots, I planted baby carrots in about 5" of dirt. They came in fine, except I had planted too many seeds per hole, and they came out all twisted together. They looked weird, but tasted fine.

GRsweetpea

They are teeny seeds, aren't they?

Our carrots and lettuce are in raised beds. I just pull the lettuce out (by the roots), wash it off really well, and use them in as microgreens.  Yum.  The others around them don't seem to mind root bothering.  Honestly, I spend weeks thinning like this, and am left with really strong plants.

Our carrots are finally showing some fine greens.  The seeds take a long time to sprout.  I thin those the same way, and they're fine too.

Happy gardening!