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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
15 Feb 10, David (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Cris, a sack bag over the seed will keep the soil moist and the Carrots will come up then remove the bag I have also used dryed grass clippings they work well
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Feb 10, Lem (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi everyone. I have planted purple carrots in Dec. For some reason they have an awful bitter taste. Is this due to the variety or an extremely hot summer? They seem to be growing well and fast and the tops are a lush green. Could someone please help me.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Jan 10, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
I tried Adam's idea of the timber on top of the seed bed as I could not for the life of me get germination. Brilliant, within a week the first seed is through and they are all looking good. I would not have believed it but it got rid of the issue of the bed drying out too quick nad has given me good germination. Thanks to Adam, Cheers, Chris
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jan 10, Andrew (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I use worm tea on carrots?
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Jan 10, Adrian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A packet of carrot seed has about 2000 seeds. Not all of them are going to germinate, but to make sure enough do I form three 3cm wide furrows in loamy soil about two metres long, 1.5cm deep and 25cm apart. I mix the seed thoroughly into a bucket of well mulched porous loam and carefull spread the mix into the furrows, ensuring that the seed is sufficiently covered with good soil that will not cake and will retain moisture without being soaked. I lightly press in the soil with a rake and keep that moist with a light spray of water twice per day. Seeds come up in 7-10 days and the carrots are always superb within 3 months. This is fail proof. And don't fertilise.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Nov 09, tom (Australia - temperate climate)
Carrots seemed to grow well but after 3 months we find that some of them have split vertically down the side to the core of the carrot. They are quite stumpy - fat and short. Thanks Tom
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Nov 09, adam synnott (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I just watched a certain gardening show on a certain government station. They were planting carrots, and beetroot, in 10cm deep furrows, and then backfilling. Seemed a little insane to me. Has anybody had any success with this method?.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Nov 09, adam synnott (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Nov 09, Skip (Australia - temperate climate)
Previously had planted both seeds and seedlings with terrible results - roots were curved and woody - Yuk! Almost gave up. Found out my high nitrogen soil (horse manure) has a negative affect. Used old veggie boxes (thick waxed cardboard) to create a raised bed and filled with 60% landscape sand and potting mix. Planted seeds in August and have not fed them at all and the carrots are lovely 4-5 inches, straight and very sweet. Go figure!
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Oct 09, meeghan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
have never planted anything before and would like to know how long it takes for carrotts and parsnips to come up?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 231 - 240 of 275 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.