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 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 5 - 30 cm 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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08 Feb 23, (Australia - temperate climate)
I've grown carrots and parsnips next to each other for years, and have never had any real issues. [Temperate - Geelong, Victoria.]
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15 Jan 23, christina (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have tried to grow carrots and beets unsuccessfully over the last year... i have built up soil in beds with bunnings veg mix, mushroom compost , manure bags and dynamic lifter... i also use worm castings and tea... from my worms.. i mulch with sugarcane .. and its so frustrating they wont grow... what am i doing wrong please....
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23 Jan 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You are putting on too much nitrogen fertilise. This will produce a lot of leaf and no carrots. Carrots do not need a really rich soil. Put carrots and beetroot in after a leaf crop like lettuce. When the beetroot are about 200-250mm high you can give them some fertiliser - phosphate rich.
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08 Feb 23, gregj (Australia - temperate climate)
I agree. He/she is trying to grow them with far too much fertiliser. I have grown carrots in the same raised bed for years, and have barely added anything to the soil in all that time. They grow fine. When I try to grow them in the garden beds, which have all been well fertilised with animal manure etc they don't grow well at all.
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05 Dec 22, Harold J Roth (USA - Zone 10a climate)
What varieties of carrots do best is zone 10A ?
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01 Nov 22, Sharon (USA - Zone 7b climate)
When should I start my carrot seeds for harvesting in January February March
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07 Nov 22, Liz (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Find your zone at the top of the Carrot page Check the harvest time and work back from that, or check the chart which suggests sowing time.
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24 Oct 22, Ralph (Australia - temperate climate)
can I grow carrots next to Potatoes and sunflowers ? ps lov eyour website :-)
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25 Oct 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sun flowers will shade them if planted on the east or west side.
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22 Oct 22, Mar (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Can I sow carrot seeds in mid October zone 8a. The fall heat hasn't helped my failed attempts.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 368 comments
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Many thanks for the info David, most appreciated! I've planted another crop of them but will lay off the fertiliser this time.

- Dee

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