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

04 Dec 15, Ethan (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you also plant them from carrot tops from carrots in the supermarket?
16 Jan 16, Joanne (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes & usually quite easily. Bear in mind though, that supermarket produce varieties are developed & adapted by industry to suit their needs & to overcome the mass production issues of farmers (who are often in other parts of the continent). They are therefore not necessarily going to be as well-suited to you as a variety that you can actually access info about, & can determine if it matches your garden's needs. That said, I often regrow things like spring onions from the supermarket too, rather than throw them away, as that seems quite wasteful to me too.
17 Dec 15, Paul (Australia - arid climate)
Of course you can! You won't get a carrot root but keeping it in a tray of water will let it develop a flower stalk from which you can collect seed true to type. Why would you throw away free seed? Same applies to celery and beetroot!!!
15 Dec 15, Paul (Australia - arid climate)
Growing carrots from the tops leftover after cooking the roots will get you a lovely plant from which, if placed in a tray of water, a flowerhead and resulting seeds.Collect them to grow on all year round!
23 Nov 15, Michelle (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown carrots successfully for years, using either purchased seed, or some I have saved myself. I usually plant just after the shortest day of the year and find that they will stay in the ground, growing happily for a year (or just over). This year however, they all seem to have bolted to seed. I used saved seed, and planted just two days before the shortest day - didn't check the calendar properly. I can't work out why this has happened. Can anyone help with an answer?
29 Nov 15, Garden of Earthy Treasures (Australia - arid climate)
There were a few days of very hot weather in October which has made my uncovered carrots go straight to seed but the ones growing with some cover and next to a water tank (cool thermal source) are forming nice roots, no flower heads on any of them. Secret to successfull carrot growing? Grandad said always plant your root crops 14 days apart all year round, that way you avoid famine/feast issues and you have a rolling crop of baby/mature carrots with only some going to flower.
31 Oct 15, Spud (Australia - temperate climate)
Always grow your carrots in loose well dug soil..great after broccoli, leafy greens, cabbage, sprouts etc.(heavy nitrogen users) do not fertilise carrots!! High nitrogen in the soil will cause the carrot to fork and twist etc, as mentioned by others here. Also do not over water carrots.
27 Oct 15, Rick Priestley (Australia - temperate climate)
What effect would very heavy rainfall,very dry conditions,strong winds,frost and hail have on my carrot and asparagus crops? How do i minimise the effect? I would appreciate ideas as i am establishing horticultural crops and need to cover all bases for the future climate changes!! Kind regards. Rick Priestley Central coast/NSW.
21 Oct 15, Edward Hague (Australia - temperate climate)
I have carrots with tops as large as trees but little or no root what has gone wrong
26 Oct 15, Retz (Australia - arid climate)
Too much nitrogen will cause big leaves and little root. Plant carrot after and heavy nitrogen feeding crop.
Showing 171 - 180 of 368 comments

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

- matthew

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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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