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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21 Oct 17, Gary (Australia - temperate climate)
What fertilise would you use when growing carrots
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23 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A fertiliser low in N. A lot of N produces a lot of leaf growth.Or you could grow a leaf vegetable and then follow with the carrots.
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24 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
By low I mean probably 8-10% N - not something like 14-20% N.
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04 Oct 17, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just pulled up my first ever organic purple garlic, a little small but I'm happy.Can I put Carrots in the ground that the garlic grew in,if not what can I put in. Thanks
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05 Oct 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
With plenty of compost and aged manure added, root veggies would be a good choice to follow garlic.
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25 Aug 17, Justin (Australia - temperate climate)
I got carrot seeds to grow in 1 week, that's right, I soaked the seeds in warm water for 24 hours then sowed them out & covered with a thin layer of sugar cane mulch.
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29 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
An old trick was to put a damp hessian bag on the seeds until they germinated. Or today you could use shade cloth - probably the 90% the best. Cost about $10/m 1800mm wide.
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28 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bet you had fun trying to plant out small wet carrot seeds.
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02 May 18, Jennifer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I can just imagine it, tiny wet seeds, it’s difficult enough to sow when they are dry. I planted my seeds in a large pot hope they are successful, I like your tips
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05 Oct 17, Ashmoore (Australia - temperate climate)
I just buy the ones on tape,so basically just lay the tape down and lightly cover and water
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Showing 51 - 60 of 275 comments
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I really can't answer your question, (Can you grow carrots in December in your area) but I can give you all the growing criteria and then you can check (via prior years climate data for your area) whether your area meets the conditions for carrot growth or not. .Carrots: -- minimum germination temperature is 2c : optimum germination 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. Carrots like well drained, well aerated loamy soil. They are SOMEWHAT drought resistant. -- 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. Carrots like well drained soil and they like aeration... so planting in hills (or hilling) is beneficial and allows carrots to grow longer. Carrots can tolerate shade but do best in full sun. I looked up the temperatures for germination and growing on the Atlantic Canada's Advisory board publications (since I don't have all my germination and growing temps memorized). Hope this helps you decide whether or not you can grow carrots in your area in December.

- Celeste Archer

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