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 P  

(Best months for growing Carrot in Australia - sub-tropical 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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29 May 10, Eve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Jenny Both Eden Seeds and Green Harvest (both online) have purple carrot seed ('Dragon')
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27 May 10, jenny wood (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there I’m trying to find purple carrot seed internal can you help.
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12 May 10, Liam (Australia - tropical climate)
Any tips on growing carrots in Townsville?? I am doing it as a school project and it would be good to have some tips. Thx
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14 May 10, Chris@Gardenate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Liam, take a look at the top of the page. Switch to tropical zone and all the planting information will apply to Townsville.
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01 May 10, Andre (Australia - temperate climate)
Make sure the soil is firm and lay sand over or in the rows with seeds, then place a nice wet towel over the layer of sand and seed to keep the seeds moist. After about 5 days check if the seeds have germinated and if they have remove the towel and lightly water
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02 May 10, Duncan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Andre, I tried with a wooden board to keep the soil moist but it dried out too fast as the board got hot!! Your idea sounds better - I'll give it a go.
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18 Apr 10, Jacki (Australia - tropical climate)
I am in Darwin and planted carrots in the dry season when its around 15degrees at night and morning and up to 24 or 25 degrees in the day, when i had harvested my carrots they were all tops and no roots, the thickest i got was less than a centimeter wide, i left the rest in and they didnt get any larger. Is it too hot where i live? My nana told me she had the same problem with carrots growing too.
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17 Mar 10, Lem (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
OK even though I did get a reply I will let you know what happened. The weather has cooled down and the carrots taste a lot better, I can only assume they will get better with a few frosts (if they last until then). Some of the purple carrots are yellow on the inside and some orange, they look pretty cool!
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02 Mar 10, boot (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
carrots are the best if eaten when straight out of the ground
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26 Feb 10, emma sutton (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how to grow carrot in the garden because this year we are growing ved in the garden and how long dus it take.
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Showing 221 - 230 of 275 comments
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In addition to my prior reply: don't forget to check the weather OVER the ENTIRE duration of growth. That is, the 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). So if your planting seeds on December 01 -- then expect germination by around Dec 15 - and then add 80 days -- which yields March 04 -- so you need to verify that you have the correct growing temperatures in Dec, Jan, Feb and March (in case you carrots take a little longer). Best of LUCK -- and remember the 60 - 80 days is for the average carrots some varieties take longer -- like my favorite - the DRAGON CARROT takes 90 days. Dragon Carrots are sweet and full of color. The nine inch roots have a bright orange interior with an amazing reddish purple skin. Full of nutrients including lycopene, Dragon Carrots are good for the body and look fantastic in the kitchen. (info for dragon carrots take from a seed retail site).

- Celeste Archer

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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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