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 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The guide say 12-18 weeks - so baby carrots probably closer to the 12 + weeks. I would say no different growing them. A round carrot called Paris Market takes 55-70 days.
15 Jun 17, Megan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted carrot seedlings from bunnings I thought each separate square of the tray would be one carrot, heaps grew all tangled together, I separated what I could, and replanted the ones that still had roots, will they still grow? Also when sowing first, do. I plant one seed per space or multiple seed and seperate when transplanting? Any advice is appreciated!
09 Sep 17, Carole (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I did the same thing. Planted each cell and ended up with clumps of carrot spaghetti. I have now planted seed directly into the garden. I got enough odd shapes big enough to do a meal so that's ok. All a learning curve.
16 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Carrots need to be in thin rows and spaced out. Best to have your soil quite fine - smooth over with a rake to make very level. Pick a few seeds at a time and try and plant them thinly. Keep well watered until the germinate and protect form the sun. Your seedlings may grow - protect them until they are established.
15 Jun 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Punnets of carrot seedlings are often like this because the seed is fine and it is difficult to sow singly. Most of the seedlings will grow. It is far better to grow carrots from direct sown seed as there is no transplanting setback. mix the seed with some dry sand so you can sow it more thinly. Add pepper to the row to stop the ants from helping themselves. The seedlings are very fine so make sure they are kept moist. use the thinnings as 'baby carrots'.
17 Apr 17, Julie (Australia - temperate climate)
carrots not that great. what is my soil lacking? Rgds Julie
19 Apr 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
To grow good sized carrots you need soil that is friable and worked down to 20 or 25 cm. If you have enriched your soil with manure it is better to grow at least a leaf crop before sowing carrots. If your soil is shallow or very hard try some of the small round varieties like 'French Breakfast' or 'Paris Market'. You could also plant baby carrots aand hrvest them when they are small. Trust this helps.
11 Apr 17, Rena Fraser (Australia - temperate climate)
when planting carrot what is apreplantig fertiliser
11 Apr 17, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Being a root vegetable, carrots don't need much nitrogen so if you are using chemical fertiliser use one with a low 'N' number in the N:P:K. If you are growing naturally plant them in an area that has been manured for a leaf crop and also grown a fruiting crop such as beans or tomatoes. This would give you a friable soil with reduced nitrogen.
10 Apr 17, Al Fry (Australia - temperate climate)
Some say cover carrot seed with old carpet etc to help germination. Is this correct.
Showing 61 - 70 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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