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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02 Jun 15, Jackie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have the most deformed carrots the colour is good they taste good but my my they have several branches [arms] poking out, some twisted, I could always enter them in the most bazzare looking things I just would like to be able to have straight ones .Hoping someone will be able to help straighten my problem out Thanking You Jackie
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06 Jun 15, Noel (Australia - temperate climate)
over fertilized soil is probably the cause
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04 Jun 15, sharon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have notice in the past if I don't dig the soil deep enough to make it less impacted for the carrots to grow they will twist and grow side way. So I now always make sure I dig a little deeper so the soil is less impacted and the carrots grow deeper in the ground and I have straight ones. I hope this helps you.
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04 Jun 15, Michelle (Australia - arid climate)
Hi jackie it sounds like your soil might have some lumps and bumps in it. As soon as carrot reaches even a tiny "barrier" that is a little hard for it to grow through it will change direction and sprout off to the side. Try sifting your soil or really working through it to a good depth to break up even the tiniest lumps before you plant next time. They often even go tangly like that in just potting mix with the barky bits from my experience!. Sandier soil better I think. Glad to hear yours taste good... Mine are straight but never flavoursome
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03 Jun 15, Flo (Australia - temperate climate)
They apparently grows arms and legs when they hit a rock/hard bits when growing.
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17 May 15, John. Mackney (Australia - temperate climate)
Could you tell me please.What is the best mix of soil for carrots ? I am haveing trouble with them not growing down it is like the soil is to hard .I end up with bent carrots. I have nice garden beds to work with but no luck . I am thinking maybe soil not draining. Or to much water they get 25 min every day by water system If you can help thank you. I am 72 and email help is better for me Regards John Mackney
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31 Aug 15, Steven Mackney (Australia - arid climate)
Dad put some gypsum in the garden bed before planting and mix it in :)
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23 May 15, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)
You could try using sandy loam Soil
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12 May 15, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Are there carrot flies in Tasmania?
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11 Feb 15, Marg (Australia - temperate climate)
When I pulled carrots, there are all these tiny white bugs on the top of carrot, they have come from under the soil, they don't seem to be eating into the carrots yet.
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Showing 111 - 120 of 274 comments
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You are putting on too much nitrogen fertilise. This will produce a lot of leaf and no carrots. Carrots do not need a really rich soil. Put carrots and beetroot in after a leaf crop like lettuce. When the beetroot are about 200-250mm high you can give them some fertiliser - phosphate rich.

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