ORGANIC Carrot Tops!

Okay, just in case you missed it, I am only discussing ‘ORGANIC’ Carrot Tops.

Carrot tops are avery misunderstood part of the carrot! Old Wives Tales claim they are poisonous, but they are not. There are some look-a-like weeds that are poisonous, but real carrots grown in your garden or bought at an organic store, have tops that are extremely nutritious!

I cannot grow carrots to save my life, but lucky for me some friends of mine do! They only use organic fertilizers, making the tops safe for my sweet bunnies who absolutely love the tops, almost as much as they love the carrot itself. I would not use carrot tops for myself or my animals if I were not completely sure they were safe and organic. Any fertilizer or pesticides could easily be absorbed by these tender leaves, making it impossible to wash off!

Some facts about Carrot Tops!

(When grown organically, they are as safe for humans to eat as they are for our animals, but they do have a slightly bitter taste.)

1. There is 6 times the amount of Vitamin C in the green than is in the root!

2. The root (carrot itself) contains no Vitamin K at all, but the greens are full of it!

3. They are absolutely full of protein, minerals, potassium, and calcium!

4. They are a natural Diuretic and can help treat kidney issues whether eaten raw or brewed into a tea!

5. They have antiseptic qualities and can be used to treat mouth sores and bleeding gums.

Storage of fresh carrot tops!

 Carrot tops begin to wilt quickly after they are pulled. If left on the carrot, it will cause the carrot to become limp. As soon as possible, I cut the greens from the carrots, rinse them really well, wrap them in a damp paper towel, and store them in the fridge.  They usually keep for about a week at this point. As soon as they start loosing that fresh, bright green look, and darken or become very wilted, I throw them out. My bunnies rarely allow them to stay around this long! I will give each bunny the greens off of one carrot each day, over the course of a few days, till I run out. They consider this a great treat!

Carrots!

I also store the carrots in the fridge.

One interesting fact I have noted about home-grown carrots, is that they are usually not as naturally ‘sweet’ as normal store bought ones. They are still very good, but the concentration of sugar is lower. This makes them healthier for bunnies, who can develop diabetes from too much sugar in their diet.

When I have these carrots, their smaller size also makes them perfect for my little buns!