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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11 Feb 15, Marg (Australia - temperate climate)
When I pulled carrots, there are all these tiny white bugs on the top of carrot, they have come from under the soil, they don't seem to be eating into the carrots yet.
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30 Dec 14, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You have rats. They eat the root and leave the tips. Set traps or lose the lot.
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20 Dec 14, Ian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My carrots are bolting to seed with woody roots. Why is it so? Please help as this is the second crop to do this. I live in a cool climate in Tasmania, 600 metres above sea level. Crop planted mid tolate Sept. In loamy soil.
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18 Jan 15, Ferran (Australia - temperate climate)
Carrots will bolt if they get to dry or the tempreture gets too hot. This is what I suspect is the case. Lots of water with good dranage often a differant time of year. Make sure you have a variety which suits your region, I can't recommend because I live on the coast in NSW. The other main reason is too much nitrogen but this is diagnosed buy limited root growth and excessive leafy growth before they go to seed. It is not too late for another planting so try planting a row every two weeks keeping them nice and moist. Shade may be necessary on very hot days. I hope they work for you next time.
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12 Nov 14, Brian (Australia - temperate climate)
Something seems to be eating my carrots under the ground. We find the tops lying on the ground, with no root left. Any ideas as to what is causing this, and what is the solution?
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27 Sep 14, Glen (Australia - temperate climate)
My first crop of carrots in new beds (soil plus a lot of mushroom compost, mixed by the supplier) has a lot of foliage and carrots ranging from too big to still getting there but they are all quite pale. The cross section shows a ring of pale orange, a small ring of pale yellow with a core of a colour in between. The seeds were 'All Season'. I have never had a problem with carrots before, and I hope someone can guide me as to the problem.
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19 Jan 15, Ferran (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Glen, The mushroom compost sounds like it has provided too much nitrogen. Root vegetables don’t like too much nitrogen as it promotes leafy growth and stunts the root. Plant carrots and other root vegetables after the heavy feeders (leafy and fruiting vegetable). You may find it useful researching the "four bed rotation system" Carrot tops are edible and can be used in cooking, the internet has a plethora of recipes. I hope this helps for next time - Ferran
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04 Sep 14, Dee-Jay (Australia - temperate climate)
Is there an ideal type or brand of carrot to plant in temperate western Melbourne?
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15 Aug 14, Andy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Phosphorous and potash, but if your soil is already good (A light soil not containing as little clay as possible) you will only need to apply a normal amount of this a couple of times during the growing season. Keep nitrogen to a minimum as this will encourage the plant to put its energy into making leaves rather then the actual carrot.
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05 Jul 14, Brian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have found the only way to grow carrots is to plant seeds direct into the ground. I have found the tape seeded carrots have worked very well. Planting from punnets the main root gets distorted when planting, thus you end up with distorted carrots, good luck.
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Carrots: -- Germination minimum temp is 2c: optimum germination temp 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. *********** 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. ********* Average days to harvest for carrots is 60 to 80 days. The days to harvest are calculated based on ideal growing conditions (temperatures/sunshine/water). *************** Having lived in your area MANY years ago – I can recall – and checked with environment Canada – Based on last year’s temp – June was a good month to start planting carrots – and September had decent carrot growing temps – as did the first week of October. I would plant carrots in semi-shade as Stoney Creek can get VERY HOT in mid-summer – and this is a problem for carrots that don’t like temps over 24c. ********* So, what I see is a total of 129 days of good carrot growing weather (June 01 – to the first week in October). You need 2 weeks for germination and depending on the type of carrot about 80 days to harvest: total of 94 days. If you plant starting June 01 – you can plant carrots every couple of weeks until around July 5th (07/05 plus 95 days yields a date in the first week in October). If you want to do only 2 plantings – then I would plant on June 01, and again the last week of June. This is based on 80 days to harvest – if you have carrots with a higher number of days to germination and/or days to harvest (like dragon carrots that take 90 days) – adjust accordingly. You need your last harvest in by the first week in October so count backward to find your last planting date. Bolero Nantes have the following stats: Germination 10 - 20 days and days to harvest 70. The site indicates that your last planting should be 3 months before your first expected frost date -- and it looks like your first expected frost date is October 15 -- which yields a last planting date of: July 15th which is a couple of weeks later than what I have calculated .... remember that Nobody can guarantee what your weather will be ..... when it comes to your last planting, I would error to the side of planting a little early -- and I would feel a little bit short on time with a July 15th planting...but I have heard of people planting later and doing just fine.

- Celeste Archer

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