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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09 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Q. What causes my carrots to be pale yellow instead of the typical orange color? A. Although there are varietal differences in root color, this problem could be caused by environmental conditions. Carrots maturing under warm temperatures or high moisture conditions lack good root color. These carrots also have poor flavor and texture. Plant carrots so they mature under relatively cool temperatures that average less than 80 degrees F. Avoid excessive soil moisture. From https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/vegetables/carrot.html - 6th question down.
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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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27 Aug 21, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted a row of carrots and they are too close togther. . Is it feasible to transplant the thinnings. Cheers Pete
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01 Sep 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you transplant them - cover them with shade cloth or something similar for the first week.
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19 Dec 20, Bill Howe (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, Advice please for the best carrot varieties to sow in Bendigo over summer?
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Showing 11 - 20 of 273 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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