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
  • Carrot harvest (commons.wikimedia.org - woodleywonderworks - CC BY 2.0)
  • A few seedlings
  • Very young carrot seedlings
  • Young carrot plants

A hardy root vegetable which grows well in deep cool soil.

Carrots take about 3 weeks to show themselves and the first leaves look like grass.

If broadcast sowing, mix with radish seeds which will germinate quickly and indicate the sown area. In hotter or dry areas, water well before seeding then cover with boards to maintain the moisture and cool soil for more successful germination. Check every week or so.

Over fertilised ground will produce split roots. Protect against carrot fly. It is best to put carrots in a different area of the garden each year for four or five years.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Carrot

Steamed or raw carrots are tasty. Cook them in a small amount of water until nearly dry then add a pat of butter and teaspoon of brown sugar to glaze.
They can be added to most casserole-type dishes.
Grate raw carrots and add to salads

Your comments and tips

16 Dec 07, Liz Hutchinson (Unknown climate)
If you want repeat crops, try to use another part of your garden to prevent carrot fly infestation.
28 Apr 08, terry george (Unknown climate)
not atip but a question why is it that every season i have a problem with my carrots having them eaton by some type of insect or grub,is there something i can spray with,they are still edible but do not look that good
29 Apr 08, matthew (Unknown climate)
it could be cockchafers, there are a number remedies available (if you are not organic) from your local garden supply store more for your lawn though but can still be used in the garden
28 May 08, Michelle (Unknown climate)
Bunnings sells organic sprays for all sorts of crop from around $10 (for the better ones).
08 Jul 08, Joy (Australia - temperate climate)
Terry, have you thought about birds... they seem to love my carret leaves and have gnawed them to the ground in no time. I have just had to string fishing line over the entire vege garden in an attempt to keep them out. Has anyone else got any ideas how to keep birds out... they are also stealing my eggs, no matter what I do they find a way in!!!
29 Jul 08, Barbara in Lane Cove (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Terry - Maybe it's carrot fly larvae, which can burrow into the carrots. Interplanting carrots with onions can apparently help. Jackie French reckons carrot fly is attracted to straight rows, so best to disguise carrots by planting in irregular blocks instead.
14 Aug 08, Richard (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I had a problem with ants eating the tops out of my carrots last season and a friend suggested some decoy baits. After seeing the ants getting stuck into any tomato with damaged skin I started placing tomato halves in amongst the carrots and that fixed the problem.
24 Oct 08, Lola Campbell (Australia - tropical climate)
I once tried to grow carrots and it was more difficult than I thought it would be. I grew them during Spring and I found that they had to have a lot of attention. I do not recommend growing them during Summer.
26 Oct 08, Jackie McCormack (Australia - temperate climate)
my first crop of carrots were short and stumpy - tasted good but not as i expected. i then tried Dutch carrots and so far they are also short and stumpy - i planted them after cabbage as i read this was good for carrots. I look forward to any suggestions Thankyou
29 Oct 08, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Terry, if you aren't worried about being organic, you might like to try this - someone told me you can spray carrots with kerosene and it doesn't harm them, it just kills everything else around them, including bugs. I haven't tried it yet, so maybr you can try this on just one carrot plant. John.
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