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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25 Oct 11, matt (Australia - temperate climate)
how many seeds do you plant at each station and how much do you water them.....each day or less?
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01 Dec 11, BCW (Australia - temperate climate)
One way to plant carrots is to mix the seed with a cup of sand,make a small shallow groove in the soil with your finger in a line where you want to grow them and run the sand/seed mix into that groove,then water. The seeds are tiny and must not be planted too deep so need to be watered twice daily till they have all germinated otherwise they will dry out and die.
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23 Oct 11, zoe (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you know when carrots are ready to harvest?
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31 Oct 11, Digger Dave (Australia - temperate climate)
Expose the top of the carrot carefully through the soil, if the top of the carrot is the size of a ten cent piece or bigger pull it up, if not cover it back up and have another look an a weeks time, it works for me...
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14 Oct 11, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We planted carrots 6weeks ago and we have not seen anything. Why could this be?
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21 Sep 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have lots of carrots growing but they are small when pulled I was wondering if anyone knows if I was cutting some of the greenery of the top would that make them grow better underground
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23 Sep 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've been told not to feed carrots too much as the fertilizer produces a lot of leaf but not much carrot.
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24 Sep 11, Al (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Carrots are best grown in quite poor soil, If you fertilize they will grow beautiful foliage and disappointing carrots! I plant the seed mixed with radish seed and sand together as the sand helps disperse the seed and radish grows so quickly it acts to thin out the carrots. Plus baby radish u can eat the leaves too. I have a chef mate who rubs jis hands together when he knows I'm bringing in baby radish!
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16 Sep 11, Carrot fly (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, it sounds like carrot fly.if you have small burrowing holes then this may be them. Planting spring onions close by throws there senses of due to the tangy smell of any type of onion.
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27 Aug 11, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
How deep to containers need to be to grow carrots?
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Showing 271 - 280 of 375 comments
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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.

- Mike

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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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