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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17 Apr 17, Julie (Australia - temperate climate)
carrots not that great. what is my soil lacking? Rgds Julie
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19 Apr 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
To grow good sized carrots you need soil that is friable and worked down to 20 or 25 cm. If you have enriched your soil with manure it is better to grow at least a leaf crop before sowing carrots. If your soil is shallow or very hard try some of the small round varieties like 'French Breakfast' or 'Paris Market'. You could also plant baby carrots aand hrvest them when they are small. Trust this helps.
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11 Apr 17, Rena Fraser (Australia - temperate climate)
when planting carrot what is apreplantig fertiliser
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11 Apr 17, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Being a root vegetable, carrots don't need much nitrogen so if you are using chemical fertiliser use one with a low 'N' number in the N:P:K. If you are growing naturally plant them in an area that has been manured for a leaf crop and also grown a fruiting crop such as beans or tomatoes. This would give you a friable soil with reduced nitrogen.
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10 Apr 17, Al Fry (Australia - temperate climate)
Some say cover carrot seed with old carpet etc to help germination. Is this correct.
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11 Apr 17, Jonno (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This is correct. Carrot seed is very fine and can dry out easily. This is critical when the new plants are germinating as a hot or windy day can dehydrate the emerging seedlings causing them to die. The carpet will keep the soil damp. People also use old sacks and sometimes boards. Check them each day and remove when the seedlings have emerged. If you also have trouble with ants sprinkle pepper along the row after you have sown the seedlings to keep them away.
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03 Apr 17, Catherine (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Thank you. My soil is very free draining and deep as it is on a hill and has sands with it. I will plant next season's carrots where this season's peas were.
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28 Mar 17, Kate (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I sow carrots every year but since living near the sea most of my biggest carrots split. I can make soup of the split carrots as they are tender but that is all. I do not put them in manured areas although I generally have grown a green crop in the winter and have it well dug in before I sow. Should I save an area from the green crop?
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30 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Splitting carrots in fruit and vegetables is generally an indicator of too much water suddenly. The skin of the fruit or vegetable that is affected can't handle the increase in water intake and will split. I have seen tomatoes, carrots, apricots, capsicums and oranges affected. In your location extra rainfall can't be controlled so ensure that drainage is good. Fresh manure causes forked and twisted roots as the decomposers working on the manure can damage the growing root tip causing it to fork. A leaf crop followed by a fruit crop (beans, tomatoes, etc) then a root crop is a good rule of thumb to follow.
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15 Mar 17, Joel (Australia - temperate climate)
Tip: Carrots are best grown in sandy soil and work best in pots
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Showing 131 - 140 of 371 comments
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Carrots: -- Germination minimum temp is 2c: optimum germination temp is 10c to 25c (the temperatures must be sustained). Seeds germinate over a 2-week period -- if crust forms on the top of the soil, germination will be restricted. *********** Optimum growing temps : 15C to 20C , with a minimum of 5C and a maximum of 24C Outside of the growing range (less than 5c or more than 24c) the carrot goes into "dormancy/holding pattern" with extreme temps killing the carrot. ********* Average days to harvest for carrots is 60 to 80 days. The days to harvest are calculated based on ideal growing conditions (temperatures/sunshine/water). *************** Having lived in your area MANY years ago – I can recall – and checked with environment Canada – Based on last year’s temp – June was a good month to start planting carrots – and September had decent carrot growing temps – as did the first week of October. I would plant carrots in semi-shade as Stoney Creek can get VERY HOT in mid-summer – and this is a problem for carrots that don’t like temps over 24c. ********* So, what I see is a total of 129 days of good carrot growing weather (June 01 – to the first week in October). You need 2 weeks for germination and depending on the type of carrot about 80 days to harvest: total of 94 days. If you plant starting June 01 – you can plant carrots every couple of weeks until around July 5th (07/05 plus 95 days yields a date in the first week in October). If you want to do only 2 plantings – then I would plant on June 01, and again the last week of June. This is based on 80 days to harvest – if you have carrots with a higher number of days to germination and/or days to harvest (like dragon carrots that take 90 days) – adjust accordingly. You need your last harvest in by the first week in October so count backward to find your last planting date. Bolero Nantes have the following stats: Germination 10 - 20 days and days to harvest 70. The site indicates that your last planting should be 3 months before your first expected frost date -- and it looks like your first expected frost date is October 15 -- which yields a last planting date of: July 15th which is a couple of weeks later than what I have calculated .... remember that Nobody can guarantee what your weather will be ..... when it comes to your last planting, I would error to the side of planting a little early -- and I would feel a little bit short on time with a July 15th planting...but I have heard of people planting later and doing just fine.

- Celeste Archer

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