However, if you have had problems with cabbage maggots in radishes, turnips, or rutabagas, consider a soil insecticide at planting. Apply to the soil before planting and work it in to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Plant in rows 16 to 24 inches wide and thin to 2 to 4 inches between plants. Adjust plantings to your family's use so that you use up a planting about the time the next comes in. This provides you with a steady supply of tender beets.
Older beets can become woody.
Carrots Plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Carrots cannot tolerate deep planting nor can they come up through a hard crust. If your soil tends to get hard and crusty on the surface, try covering the seed with a light covering of sand or vermiculite and keep moist. Plant in rows 16 to 24 inches apart and thin to 2 to 3 inches between plants. This will give you nicely shaped roots.