Growing Carrot

Daucus carota : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P P P P P          

(Best months for growing Carrot in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 2 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-18 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Onions, Leeks, Lettuce, Sage, Peas, Radishes, Tomatoes, Beans, Celery, Rosemary
  • Avoid growing close to: Parsnips, Beetroot, Dill, Brassicas, Fennel

Your comments and tips

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29 Jun 17, Bec (Australia - temperate climate)
How long does it take to grow baby carrots, and is it different to planting normal carrots?
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30 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The guide say 12-18 weeks - so baby carrots probably closer to the 12 + weeks. I would say no different growing them. A round carrot called Paris Market takes 55-70 days.
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15 Jun 17, Megan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted carrot seedlings from bunnings I thought each separate square of the tray would be one carrot, heaps grew all tangled together, I separated what I could, and replanted the ones that still had roots, will they still grow? Also when sowing first, do. I plant one seed per space or multiple seed and seperate when transplanting? Any advice is appreciated!
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09 Sep 17, Carole (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I did the same thing. Planted each cell and ended up with clumps of carrot spaghetti. I have now planted seed directly into the garden. I got enough odd shapes big enough to do a meal so that's ok. All a learning curve.
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16 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Carrots need to be in thin rows and spaced out. Best to have your soil quite fine - smooth over with a rake to make very level. Pick a few seeds at a time and try and plant them thinly. Keep well watered until the germinate and protect form the sun. Your seedlings may grow - protect them until they are established.
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15 Jun 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Punnets of carrot seedlings are often like this because the seed is fine and it is difficult to sow singly. Most of the seedlings will grow. It is far better to grow carrots from direct sown seed as there is no transplanting setback. mix the seed with some dry sand so you can sow it more thinly. Add pepper to the row to stop the ants from helping themselves. The seedlings are very fine so make sure they are kept moist. use the thinnings as 'baby carrots'.
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11 Jun 17, BARBARA ADAMS TAYLOR (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Is it too late to plant carrots in zone 6a on the 11th of June? Thank you
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08 Jun 17, Shane Cave (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Nematodes are ruining my carrots, what can I do?
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09 Jun 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Short of sterilising the soil (not recommended) you have a number of options. Crop rotation is you first option; by doing this you will be breaking the cycle of these pests. Plant nematode-resistant varieties; this is not so easy as seed will probably only be available from commercial seed companies. Plant marigolds in the season before your carrots: the pungent smelling marigold roots give off a substance that will deter nematodes. In some South-East Asian countries villagers do this to protect their vegetables, linking the gold flower to Buddha who is said to be protecting their crops. Trust this helps/
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09 Oct 17, Leigh (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
My aunty swore by growing carrots in sand, I tried it by pouring sand into the hole at planting time, I didn't have any problems( it could have been beginers luck, am trying again this year in a different spot in the garden). That said I don't know if this was to deter nematodes or carrot rustfly/ or eelworms. Good luck
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I thought I might mention: after you harvest your first crop of carrots you probably have enough time to grow a crop of the smaller varieties of radish. Radishes: ******** Germination temperatures: ideal 15c - 25c acceptable 10c - 30c ************ Germination time: 5 -10 days *************** Growing temperatures: ideal 10c -18c intermediate to short day lengths -Growth must be continuous and rapid for good quality. Acceptable grow temps 4c – 24c. Roots of globe varieties tend to elongate and develop poor shape in hot weather when the tops also grow taller and larger than in cool weather. Long days induce flowering or seed stalks (bolting) and with warm weather the seed stalk may develop so rapidly that no edible root is formed *************** Days to harvest: Regular radish reach market size in 21 to 28 days. Chinese radish take 50 to 90 days (or more) to mature. ** A regular radish seed can produce a radish from planting to harvest in about 33 days. This crop also likes short day lengths and cooler temps making it an ideal crop to “squeeze” in late in the season, before the first frost. With a first potential frost date of October 15 – you could direct sow radish seeds like Cherry Belle, or French Breakfast (both with about 21 days to harvest from seedlings) on September 7th and reasonably expect to harvest your radishes before the first frost. You could also sow in trays and then plant them out… if real-estate is an issue, or if you need to get the radishes started before your harvest your carrots (timing) ************* Storage and Conditioning the recommended storage temperature is 0 C with a relative humidity of 95% to 100%. Topped radishes packaged in perforated plastic bags will keep for 3 to 4 weeks. Bunched radishes will keep 1 to 2 weeks. ********** Temperature information was gleaned from: ATLANTIC PROVINCES AGRICULTURE SERVICES and amalgamated with information from individual radish varieties such as Cherry Belle. ****** if you don't harvest your radishes on time they will be pithy/mealy

- Celeste Archer

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