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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18 Mar 14, sandeep (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
hi i have seen some leaves coming out of carrot when we kept in a trey can i sow the carrots in soil? so that i can get the seeds. please tell me.
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03 Mar 14, will (Australia - temperate climate)
how long does it take for the seedling to show
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20 Mar 14, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
In my experience, about 2-3 weeks. I find the seed very sensitive to depth of planting. They must be shallowly sown (no more than 4-5 mm) and kept moist. A board or strip of hessian over them will keep them moist, but remember to check regularly and remove the board when germination has occurred.
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10 Feb 14, Catherine (Australia - arid climate)
this web is great thanks
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17 Jan 14, Marion (USA - Zone 8a climate)
What is a good fertilizer for lettuce, carrots and radishes in a school raised bed garden? Thanks
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07 Jan 14, Yvonne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello I have a question about growing carrots , every time I grow them they head up great but have small deformed carrots , they taste ok can you tell me what I am doing wrong they are in well fertilized soil with blood and bone and compost soil . Thankyou PS we live at Strathbogie Vic
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14 Sep 14, Kath (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Your soil is too good! With carrots rich soil produces lots of green tops and deformed, stunted roots, they need to be pressured a bit to produce the big juicy roots we like. Use your rich soil for heavy feeders, like broccoli or corn. After the hungry crop is finished clear away the debris, dig over thoroughly and plant your carrot seed, the mildly depleted and deep dug soil will encourage your carrots to send down long shoots which will fill out into good sized carrots. Water daily but don't overdo it, excess H2o will make the roots swell and split.
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30 Aug 14, Bec (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like you have rocks in your soil. Carrots deform around rocks. Doesn't change the flavor, just the look. -Bec Whiting
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08 Mar 14, Ferran (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It sounds like you have too much nutients in your soil for carots, causing leaf growth and not root growth. By nutients i mean nitrogen much needed for leafy crops as well as fruiting but a bane for most roots as the nitrogen causes the plant to put all its energy in to the leaves leaving the root small. There for carrots like soil that has been 'spent' (had hungery crops growing in it preavesly so the nitrogen is depleated). Sandy, free of stones that will canse the carots to split, well draining, and moist soil will also help your carrot crop. They also like part sun to full sun over shade.
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09 Jan 14, Xan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Yvonne, I'm in the Adelaide Hills. This year will be my 3rd attempt with carrots after having the same result as you the other 2 times. I've done some research and am optimistic this year will be better. Apparently carrots like to be sewn direct into the bed and like poor nutrients as this encourages them to grow big and straight in search of soil goodness. I'm going to give it a go... fingers crossed :) Goodluck, hope it works for you. Xan
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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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