The carrot is a root vegetable; not that you did not know this already. Thus, unless you have planted carrots before, since you cannot see it, you may wonder when a carrot is ready for harvesting. But you can see the top. Generally, carrots with the largest and greenest tops have reached maturity and are ready to be pulled.

Another way to determine harvesting time (which can vary slightly from one carrot to the next even if they were planted at the same time) is to consider the diameter of the crown. This it the largest part of the carrot, just before the top. As a rule, the carrot has reached maturity when the crown measures about 2.5 cm or about an inch in diameter.

To harvest with ease, first drench the ground with water to loosen it up. Then, grasp the greens at the crown and gently tug and twist. If the top breaks, use two forks, one on each side, to pry the root out of the ground.

If you have dogs, there is a chance you are being watched while you dig out the succulent orange harvest. Why is it that no one screams at you when you spend hours digging in the garden? This is a puzzling existential question for a dog.

Your dog may want to dig his paws into the soil, but you and I both know that this is your domain. How to keep your canine friend out is simpler than you think, but it does require time and effort to train your companion (I’m still talking about the dog).

A basic sit-stay-and-come training class is an indispensable first step. Dogmo must first understand these simple commands. Next, place a border around your garden. This can be as simple as laying stones around it to clearly identifies a boundary. Then, make it clear that staying outside of the boundary is the behavior you approve.

You can communicate this approval by using a verbal command your dog has learned, “Stop, stay, sit” when it is about to cross the border. Then, immediately praise and offer a treat when you observe the desired response. Praise with great abandon. Make it a big deal. In a few weeks, the verbal command and praise will suffice and your friend will learn to sit nearby and enjoy watching you garden without offering its “help.”

As for carrots, they are good for your dog’s teeth, so here is Granny’s variation on the theme: Once your canine companion understands that staying out of the garden is the behavior that pleases you, pick a carrot or other produce it likes, walk over to the dog (do not call it to you, that would defeat the purpose) and offer this very special and coveted treat. It is offered on your own terms.