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 P P P P

(Best months for growing Carrot in South Africa - Summer rainfall 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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21 Feb 23, Cindy C. (USA - Zone 8b climate)
A board such as a 1 X 3" is simply to keep rain from dislodging the tiny seed from the soil and retain moisture. I check my seed germination after a week then daily until the seedlings are about 1". Then I remove the board, thin the seedlings and cover with a floating row cover. I plant them right next onions and have no problem with flies.
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29 Dec 21, Darlene (USA - Zone 9a climate)
You only cover with a board temporarily as to keep the seeds from washing away and from birds eating them. After a week or more, You are to begin checking for sprouts. Within a week to 10 days, if it’s getting hotter in your climate, you elevate the board above the sprouts by placing a rock at each end of the board length and place the board on top of the two rocks. This keeps it a bit shaded since carrots are cool weather. Then as they get larger ferns and safer to expose, you remove the board. I hope that’s helpful.
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22 Feb 22, Helen Chon (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Thank you. Your explanation was clear and much appreciated.
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11 Dec 21, (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Use shade cloth or hessian bags above the soil.
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17 Nov 21, jusee (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I find tropical carrots varieties seeds that suitable to grow here in Malaysia?
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19 Nov 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Any common carrot should. It is more about when to plant and soil type.
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06 Nov 21, Colin Scott (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have had carrots with for legs and then two by thinning consistently. The last one was single at the top but had multiple small legs at the bottom. How do I stop this?
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10 Nov 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
Best to grow carrots in a sandy loam kind of soil. Don't need a lot of nitrogen. Also I wouldn't thin out too much. I don't grow them because they are cheap to buy and take so long to grow.
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09 Nov 21, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Multiple
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02 Jul 22, Kelly (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you want to reduce forking of the roots - you must stop digging and tilling and hoeing. No dig beds are your answer and only do compost as your medium to grow. They are light and airy and nutrient dense.
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Showing 41 - 50 of 364 comments
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I really can't answer your question, (Can you grow carrots in December in your area) but I can give you all the growing criteria and then you can check (via prior years climate data for your area) whether your area meets the conditions for carrot growth or not. .Carrots: -- minimum germination temperature is 2c : optimum germination is 10c to 25c (the temperatures must be sustained). Seeds germinate over a 2 week period -- if crust forms on the top of the soil, germination will be restricted. Carrots like well drained, well aerated loamy soil. They are SOMEWHAT drought resistant. -- optimum growing temps : 15C to 20C , with a minimum of 5C and a maximum of 24C Outside of the growing range (less than 5c or more than 24c) the carrot goes into "dormancy/holding pattern" with extreme temps killing the carrot. Carrots like well drained soil and they like aeration... so planting in hills (or hilling) is beneficial and allows carrots to grow longer. Carrots can tolerate shade but do best in full sun. I looked up the temperatures for germination and growing on the Atlantic Canada's Advisory board publications (since I don't have all my germination and growing temps memorized). Hope this helps you decide whether or not you can grow carrots in your area in December.

- Celeste Archer

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