Growing Carrot

Daucus carota : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Carrot in Australia - 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 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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13 May 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Check which variety of carrot you planted. Some do have a purple skin and some are short. Check here https://www.grow-it-organically.com/carrot-varieties.html
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09 Apr 19, Rae Rakute (Australia - tropical climate)
Carrots are good to grow throughout Summer , Autumn , Spring.
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31 Jan 19, Stephen Meiklejohn (Australia - temperate climate)
My carrots have hard core and it is a different colour to the outer flesh
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01 Nov 18, Colin Low (Australia - temperate climate)
I have had trouble growing carrots and I think now because of the chicken & cow manure is too acid. I have limed the area where this year's crop will be tried & my question is "How long do I need to wait before planting the seed? cheers Colin
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01 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Your main problem was probably the addition of the manures. Carrots do not need or like a rich soil (N) - it produces too much leaf. Carrots prefer a loose loam kind of soil - as in not heavy clay. A loose soil that is crumbly. If adding compost/manures do it months before planting carrots or grow something else before planting the carrots. A couple of weeks should be sufficient with the lime - mix it in well and water it and turn it over once or twice. Plant carrots thinly - can use a small salt shaker with some sand mixed with the seeds.
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08 Jul 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for this detailed information. Appreciated.
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13 Feb 18, Edna (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can I put the carrot seeds on the ground with a drip water?
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14 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Over watering them may rot them. Put a light hessian cloth or shade cloth over them until they germinate and establish themselves a bit.
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08 Jul 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mike - glad I read this. I often wonder if I am overwatering carrots (and other things, including tomatoes-someone said you can't overwater tomatoes). This is my second attempt at carrots and yet another attempt at vegie growing. This time, I started off with seeds in trays and seed mix in the green house. (Next time I will sow less although seedlings might make a good surprise gift!) Amazing. And deeply moving to see seeds germinate. Now, some if thise things are planted out although as a result of my lack of gardening knowledge (re soil pH, feed -nitrogen,calcium etc and how much to water different plants and what to feed them or not feed them etc) I feel behind the eightball/it's pot luck. A wing and a prayer. A couple of carrots have become just visible but I am guessing that doesn't mean pick! I am about to plant out some baby carrots. Thanks. J.
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21 Oct 17, Gary (Australia - temperate climate)
What fertilise would you use when growing carrots
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Showing 41 - 50 of 274 comments
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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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