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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15 Mar 12, Anonymus (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Yeah, you can grow carrots during the winter. Just keep the ground mulched and make sure the grund doesn't freeze. For winter growing I would recomend Artist and Merida (nantes types) and Camberly and Scarlet Keeper (danvers types). However, the coloring on the carrots aren't as good in colder weather with less daylight hours.
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10 Aug 10, Adam (Australia - temperate climate)
No because the carrots will wilt. So its best to do it after Winter
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29 May 10, Eve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Jenny Both Eden Seeds and Green Harvest (both online) have purple carrot seed ('Dragon')
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27 May 10, jenny wood (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there I’m trying to find purple carrot seed internal can you help.
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09 Aug 10, Earthwise (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Green Harvest have a carrot on their website called 'Deep Purple'. It is purple all the way through. They also have 'Purple Dragon' which only has a purple skin.
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12 May 10, Liam (Australia - tropical climate)
Any tips on growing carrots in Townsville?? I am doing it as a school project and it would be good to have some tips. Thx
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14 May 10, Chris@Gardenate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Liam, take a look at the top of the page. Switch to tropical zone and all the planting information will apply to Townsville.
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01 May 10, Andre (Australia - temperate climate)
Make sure the soil is firm and lay sand over or in the rows with seeds, then place a nice wet towel over the layer of sand and seed to keep the seeds moist. After about 5 days check if the seeds have germinated and if they have remove the towel and lightly water
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02 May 10, Duncan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Andre, I tried with a wooden board to keep the soil moist but it dried out too fast as the board got hot!! Your idea sounds better - I'll give it a go.
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18 Apr 10, Jacki (Australia - tropical climate)
I am in Darwin and planted carrots in the dry season when its around 15degrees at night and morning and up to 24 or 25 degrees in the day, when i had harvested my carrots they were all tops and no roots, the thickest i got was less than a centimeter wide, i left the rest in and they didnt get any larger. Is it too hot where i live? My nana told me she had the same problem with carrots growing too.
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In addition to my prior reply: don't forget to check the weather OVER the ENTIRE duration of growth. That is, the 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). So if your planting seeds on December 01 -- then expect germination by around Dec 15 - and then add 80 days -- which yields March 04 -- so you need to verify that you have the correct growing temperatures in Dec, Jan, Feb and March (in case you carrots take a little longer). Best of LUCK -- and remember the 60 - 80 days is for the average carrots some varieties take longer -- like my favorite - the DRAGON CARROT takes 90 days. Dragon Carrots are sweet and full of color. The nine inch roots have a bright orange interior with an amazing reddish purple skin. Full of nutrients including lycopene, Dragon Carrots are good for the body and look fantastic in the kitchen. (info for dragon carrots take from a seed retail site).

- 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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