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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04 Aug 09, sylvia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Onions & leeks are good companion plants for carrot, and also seem to keep down pests (except snails!). I plant one row of each, every couple of weeks, and have had no problems at all with pests. Short, stumpy carrots are usually a result of not cultivating the soil deeply enough before planting (as I learned myself!). If this is not possible, get around the problem by planting short, stumpy varieties like Chantenay, or try baby carrots. Hope this helps!
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13 Jun 09, Simon (Australia - tropical climate)
Has anyone been able to grow carrots in a tropical climate
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20 May 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Rowan: Jareds' comment is a good idea to get the variety, but do NOT buy carrot seedlings, or any root crop seedlings. It is almost impossible to get them from the tray to the ground without damaging the root. They will never be as good as seed sown. Alison: full sun? not really, I have mine in and they get about 6 hours/day and are doing fine. Watering is the tip. many light waterings (2-3 times /day) until the seedlings are about 3-5cm tall. plant radishes at the same time to get an extra crop and to break the soil crust.
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18 May 09, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
Do carrots prefer full sun? I'm new to vegie gardening and think my bed (on the east - NSW) isn't sunny enough for most vegies. Need to find some vegies that like the shade (hahaha). Thanks
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17 May 09, Jared (Australia - temperate climate)
Rowan' If you have a local nursery and they sell seedlings they nearly always sell the correct seedling for the correct time of year, so if there selling it its good to go, i always keep my eye out for what they have out at what time of year it helps in planning when to sow in your plot!
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18 Mar 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Elise: I had the same problem, until I lightly watered the seed bed 8am & 3pm everyday until the seedlings appeared (about 10-14 days). Now I can germinate carrots all year round Rowan: follow the planting guides on this site, they are a pretty good guide until you work out what works for you / your (micro) climate / your soil.
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17 Mar 09, rowan barker (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
my girlfriend and i would like to grow, carrots, lettuce and tomatoes. we live in the northwest of tasmania and have no idea when to plant what or how to go about it. if anyone knows the best time to plant these plants on the northwest coast of tassie successfully please email me so we can make a start on our first vege patch. thanks
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10 Mar 09, Elise (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in the south east of south australia i have had good success with most other vegies but my carrots just wont germinate any time of year for 3 years maybe bugs?
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22 Feb 09, zena (Australia - temperate climate)
try companion planting. lettuce is a good companion plant to carrots and vice versa.
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19 Feb 09, Alice (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
well when planting carrots to make sure theyre planted evenly you can mix the seeds with a handful of sand and then plant them to make sure they're evenly planted! :-)
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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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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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