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

30 Dec 14, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You have rats. They eat the root and leave the tips. Set traps or lose the lot.
20 Dec 14, Ian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My carrots are bolting to seed with woody roots. Why is it so? Please help as this is the second crop to do this. I live in a cool climate in Tasmania, 600 metres above sea level. Crop planted mid tolate Sept. In loamy soil.
18 Jan 15, Ferran (Australia - temperate climate)
Carrots will bolt if they get to dry or the tempreture gets too hot. This is what I suspect is the case. Lots of water with good dranage often a differant time of year. Make sure you have a variety which suits your region, I can't recommend because I live on the coast in NSW. The other main reason is too much nitrogen but this is diagnosed buy limited root growth and excessive leafy growth before they go to seed. It is not too late for another planting so try planting a row every two weeks keeping them nice and moist. Shade may be necessary on very hot days. I hope they work for you next time.
12 Nov 14, Brian (Australia - temperate climate)
Something seems to be eating my carrots under the ground. We find the tops lying on the ground, with no root left. Any ideas as to what is causing this, and what is the solution?
27 Sep 14, Glen (Australia - temperate climate)
My first crop of carrots in new beds (soil plus a lot of mushroom compost, mixed by the supplier) has a lot of foliage and carrots ranging from too big to still getting there but they are all quite pale. The cross section shows a ring of pale orange, a small ring of pale yellow with a core of a colour in between. The seeds were 'All Season'. I have never had a problem with carrots before, and I hope someone can guide me as to the problem.
19 Jan 15, Ferran (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Glen, The mushroom compost sounds like it has provided too much nitrogen. Root vegetables don’t like too much nitrogen as it promotes leafy growth and stunts the root. Plant carrots and other root vegetables after the heavy feeders (leafy and fruiting vegetable). You may find it useful researching the "four bed rotation system" Carrot tops are edible and can be used in cooking, the internet has a plethora of recipes. I hope this helps for next time - Ferran
04 Sep 14, Dee-Jay (Australia - temperate climate)
Is there an ideal type or brand of carrot to plant in temperate western Melbourne?
15 Aug 14, Andy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Phosphorous and potash, but if your soil is already good (A light soil not containing as little clay as possible) you will only need to apply a normal amount of this a couple of times during the growing season. Keep nitrogen to a minimum as this will encourage the plant to put its energy into making leaves rather then the actual carrot.
05 Jul 14, Brian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have found the only way to grow carrots is to plant seeds direct into the ground. I have found the tape seeded carrots have worked very well. Planting from punnets the main root gets distorted when planting, thus you end up with distorted carrots, good luck.
29 Apr 14, dave fergusson (Australia - temperate climate)
I seem to be able to grow just about anything in my raised garden bed in Sth of Perth except good carrots. They alway start of well with the thinnings then the ones left tend to go 'hairy', lots of rootlets forming, ribbing & callouses on their lower half! Any one know why?
Showing 121 - 130 of 274 comments

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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