Direct Seeding

I'm going to wax poetic a little bit about this method of starting plants before I get to the details of direct seeding one of my favorite things on the planet - carrots.
I feel like this is one of the most hassle free things I ever do in my garden.  For plants like greens, root crops, even melons and cucumbers I've had better luck with seeding outside than with transplanting.  Additionally, this cuts out a lot of seedling maintenance that is required for other things like tomatoes and most herbs.
I direct seeded some beets, radishes, and turnips just 3 weeks ago and look at them now.

 The disclaimer is that I've got these protected with row cover which I make sure is closed up pretty tight if the temp is going to go below 40 degrees F.  We're still having a lot of these nights.

These went in today.  Yes, I am shamelessly promoting these seed companies.  They produce really nice, organic seeds so I like to give them my hard earned money.  You should too.

I feel like a lot of people that I talk with are intimidated by growing carrots.  I once felt this way also, but after trial and error here's my system:

Furrow, seeds, measuring device, potting soil mixed with horticultural sand, 2X4 scrap

This raised bed had 2 inches of compost added about 1 month ago and has been really gently turned then allowed to sit.  I use an old scrap of 2X4 to create my "shallow furrow" by pressing the corner of the plank into my soil to make about a 1/2" deep V.  Most carrots' packaging say to space rows by 12" but in these raised beds I've found that 6" works fine and then I can just lay a soaker hose down between the rows and water both at once.  Its really hard to get carrot seeds spaced perfectly because they are so tiny, but aim for 1/2 to 1" between.  You'll need to thin to 1-2" between later but its no big deal because you get baby carrots in the thinning process.

Last, I cover my seeds with a very light sprinkle of potting soil mixed with sand.  Go thin here because carrots need light to germinate.  Then tamp down lightly, water, and you're good to go.
Easy, right?  Lastly, make a note somewhere of when you started these because inevitably you are going to have a moment in 2 weeks where you say to yourself, "this didn't work" even worse, you might go ahead and turn the bed up and plant something else.  Carrots take anywhere from 10-21 days to germinate depending on your climate and the seeds, so have patience.
I guarantee its worth the wait, homegrown carrots are so tasty.

-JG