Question: My carrots are tough and woody, not at all tasty. What did I do wrong?

Answer: They probably didn’t grow fast enough, or else you’re leaving them in the garden too long. Carrots should be harvested when they’re half to two-thirds of their expected mature length. Also, when carrots are challenged by heavy soils, poor drainage or drought, high temperatures or other environmental factors, their response is to turn corky, as you described. Be sure you’re planting early enough, too. Carrots need to be seeded 2 to 3 weeks prior to the average date of the last killing freeze for your area. That way, they’ll be harvested and gone before it turns really hot.