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 18, Kdub (USA - Zone 8a climate)
What ph level should the soil be for carrots?
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13 Feb 18, Edna (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can I put the carrot seeds on the ground with a drip water?
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14 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Over watering them may rot them. Put a light hessian cloth or shade cloth over them until they germinate and establish themselves a bit.
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08 Jul 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mike - glad I read this. I often wonder if I am overwatering carrots (and other things, including tomatoes-someone said you can't overwater tomatoes). This is my second attempt at carrots and yet another attempt at vegie growing. This time, I started off with seeds in trays and seed mix in the green house. (Next time I will sow less although seedlings might make a good surprise gift!) Amazing. And deeply moving to see seeds germinate. Now, some if thise things are planted out although as a result of my lack of gardening knowledge (re soil pH, feed -nitrogen,calcium etc and how much to water different plants and what to feed them or not feed them etc) I feel behind the eightball/it's pot luck. A wing and a prayer. A couple of carrots have become just visible but I am guessing that doesn't mean pick! I am about to plant out some baby carrots. Thanks. J.
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21 Oct 17, Gary (Australia - temperate climate)
What fertilise would you use when growing carrots
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23 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A fertiliser low in N. A lot of N produces a lot of leaf growth.Or you could grow a leaf vegetable and then follow with the carrots.
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24 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
By low I mean probably 8-10% N - not something like 14-20% N.
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04 Oct 17, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just pulled up my first ever organic purple garlic, a little small but I'm happy.Can I put Carrots in the ground that the garlic grew in,if not what can I put in. Thanks
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05 Oct 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
With plenty of compost and aged manure added, root veggies would be a good choice to follow garlic.
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25 Aug 17, Justin (Australia - temperate climate)
I got carrot seeds to grow in 1 week, that's right, I soaked the seeds in warm water for 24 hours then sowed them out & covered with a thin layer of sugar cane mulch.
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Showing 101 - 110 of 364 comments
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My carrots grow best in a bed where something else has grown the previous year. I DON'T fertilize carrots, because as soon as they find a little bit of nitrogen, they fork, and they're really hard to clean. I sprinkle the seed and press it into the wet soil. I then put some old palings on top, and don't check them for a few days.After four days or so, I check to see if they're popping up. As soon as a few of them have popped up. I lift the boards, and put them on little blocks of something, to be about 1-2 inches off the ground. This protects the small carrot plants from the sun, and helps to keep the moisture in a bit. After a week or so, they are big enough to take the boards away, and voila, they should grow pretty well. Just thin them out after a couple of months, so you have some baby carrots for salads/steaming/whatever, and the others will grow to beautiful fat vegies. Chantenay are my faves, they just seem to have a sweeter more robust taste. Don't forget to water during summer.

- adam synnott

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