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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03 May 16, Bruce Rickman (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
We live in PittMeadows British Columbia and we've carrot rust fly that bore into the carrots and spoil them Any body have suggestions to prevent them organically
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29 Sep 16, Michael (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
plant carrots with onions. the fly is attracted to the carrot smell and powerful smell of onions confuses them.
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14 Mar 16, (Australia - temperate climate)
Needs water
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29 Feb 16, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi guys, I live near Ipswitch in southeast Queensland I'm new to gardening but I've been reading alot but I'm have trouble finding information on growing carrots and onions for seed, I have ordered heirloom seeds online that i should have soon, I'm aware that carrots and onions are bi-annual not seeding till the second year. I really want more seeds then i will get in the mail as soon as i can. Is it to late for me to grow for seed this late in the season? I'm planning on bagging the flowers just before they open. how long should i leave the bag on for? will I have to shake it to stir up pollen? Thanks in advance.
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26 Mar 16, Irene (Australia - temperate climate)
I have found some of the heirloom seeds don't do well in SE Qld
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16 Feb 16, Peter (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Best ph reading of soil for growing carrots please. Having trouble getting carrots to come up? Keep the top of the soil moist (NOT WET!!) until they raise their heads.
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14 Feb 16, Nico (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I want to plant Carrots and Beetroot in Hartswater under irrigation, what is the ideal time and what fertilizer do I use please, i want to irrigate with micro sprincklers.
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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Also, do not plant them in the same bed.
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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Beetroots & carrots require very little nitrogen. Too much and you'll have big leaves at the expense of root development. Phosphate and potassium encourages more root development.
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04 Jan 16, Adrian (Australia - temperate climate)
To avoid all the foibles with spreading those tiny carrots seeds, I simply buy Yates Manchester Table seed tape (3 x 2 metre long tapes), mark out 2 metre long shallow trenches 10mm deep (shallow) 20cm apart, place in the three tapes from the seed packet, and cover the tape with as little well mulched loam as possible. This summer I sowed the seed on 24 December so that I would be around to keep the carrot patch moist and the seed all came up in one week. The current light rain this week will further ensure a solid crop. I also spread snail killer to avoid snails feasting on the young seedlings. Snail killer is cheap. I do not thin out the seedlings, as I have found that the seed tape is narrow and gives the seedling sufficient lateral space to develop to healthy thick carrots.
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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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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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