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

03 Jun 15, Flo (Australia - temperate climate)
They apparently grows arms and legs when they hit a rock/hard bits when growing.
17 May 15, John. Mackney (Australia - temperate climate)
Could you tell me please.What is the best mix of soil for carrots ? I am haveing trouble with them not growing down it is like the soil is to hard .I end up with bent carrots. I have nice garden beds to work with but no luck . I am thinking maybe soil not draining. Or to much water they get 25 min every day by water system If you can help thank you. I am 72 and email help is better for me Regards John Mackney
31 Aug 15, Steven Mackney (Australia - arid climate)
Dad put some gypsum in the garden bed before planting and mix it in :)
23 May 15, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)
You could try using sandy loam Soil
12 May 15, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Are there carrot flies in Tasmania?
11 Feb 15, Marg (Australia - temperate climate)
When I pulled carrots, there are all these tiny white bugs on the top of carrot, they have come from under the soil, they don't seem to be eating into the carrots yet.
30 Dec 14, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You have rats. They eat the root and leave the tips. Set traps or lose the lot.
20 Dec 14, Ian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My carrots are bolting to seed with woody roots. Why is it so? Please help as this is the second crop to do this. I live in a cool climate in Tasmania, 600 metres above sea level. Crop planted mid tolate Sept. In loamy soil.
18 Jan 15, Ferran (Australia - temperate climate)
Carrots will bolt if they get to dry or the tempreture gets too hot. This is what I suspect is the case. Lots of water with good dranage often a differant time of year. Make sure you have a variety which suits your region, I can't recommend because I live on the coast in NSW. The other main reason is too much nitrogen but this is diagnosed buy limited root growth and excessive leafy growth before they go to seed. It is not too late for another planting so try planting a row every two weeks keeping them nice and moist. Shade may be necessary on very hot days. I hope they work for you next time.
12 Nov 14, Brian (Australia - temperate climate)
Something seems to be eating my carrots under the ground. We find the tops lying on the ground, with no root left. Any ideas as to what is causing this, and what is the solution?
Showing 191 - 200 of 371 comments

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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