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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22 Sep 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Lisa. How long have the carrots been in? Are they getting plenty of sun & water?
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18 Sep 09, Lisa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
my carrots are VERY leafy but have tiny root growth. Good soil. Good drainage. Not too much fertiliser. What am I doing wrong???
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08 Sep 19, Anna (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have the same problem it is now 8 September and I put them in about 5 months ago. Lots of green foliage. short subby carrots. The soils is deep and mostly made up of composted lawn clippings.
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10 Sep 09, Dee (Australia - temperate climate)
Many thanks for the info David, most appreciated! I've planted another crop of them but will lay off the fertiliser this time.
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10 Sep 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Dee. "You are what you eat" same for vegies, I am guessing the bad taste came from the Liquid Nitrosol rather than the basil. Carrots don't need feeding whilst they are growing, just dig a little (very little) compost in before planting and keep well watered.
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08 Sep 09, Dee (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi all. Has anyone had any problems planting carrot seedlings with basil? I'm new to vege gardening and didnt think about companion planting too much (obviously :)). They were the round variety and ended up quite small and they were so DISGUSTING I wanted to scrub my tongue with a wire brush to get the taste out of my mouth. I used liquid Nitrosol to fertilise - do you think the basil or fertliser may have been the reason for the bad taste?
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02 Sep 09, Julia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I just read that you can't grow carrots from seedlings, only seeds. Is this true? We planted some from seedlings we bought at a market and they all came out round and woody. Very disappointing!
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02 Sep 09, Julia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We planted carrots around 4 months ago. It's been an unusually warm winter (warmest on record i think) and everyone I have pulled up is about an inch wide, but round! Any suggestions to prevent round carrots next time? thanks
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09 Aug 09, harry levy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My soil is dug at least 6ins.deep but they still won't grow deep some were in for 2months and I pulled them the other day and they were only about 3ins long I use dynamic lifter in liquid and pellet form and blood/bone hope you can help thank you
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04 Aug 09, sylvia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Onions & leeks are good companion plants for carrot, and also seem to keep down pests (except snails!). I plant one row of each, every couple of weeks, and have had no problems at all with pests. Short, stumpy carrots are usually a result of not cultivating the soil deeply enough before planting (as I learned myself!). If this is not possible, get around the problem by planting short, stumpy varieties like Chantenay, or try baby carrots. Hope this helps!
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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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