Carrot Growing Guide

Carrots are a cool-season crop with natural sweetness. Due to the specific soil requirements, they are not the easiest and fastest to grow, especially at home. However, if you provide them with the ideal conditions and care, growing carrots is well worth the effort because homegrown carrots have a better flavor and structure than store-bought carrots.

If you're a gardener planting carrots for the first time, this guide is for you. From preparing the garden and sowing to caring for and harvesting fresh carrots, this growing guide will cover all the tips and tricks any home gardener may need to know!

Carrots: A Quick Overview

Carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) are adaptable root vegetables known for their sweet, crunchy, and nutritious roots. They are a cool-season crop belonging to the Apiaceae family, which includes celery, cilantro, and parsnips. These flowering vegetables have the same leafy structures.

Carrots are a rich source of vitamins (A, K, and B6), beta-carotene, and other nutrients. They can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or preserved. Although carrots are mostly recognized for their orange roots, heirloom cultivars are available in different colors, such as black, red, purple, and yellow.

If you have only tasted grocery store carrots and not fresh from the garden, you're missing out on the natural sweetness of freshly harvested carrots. This is because natural sugar imparts sweetness to carrots and begins to be replaced by fiber as they age on grocery store shelves.

So, growing your carrots allows you to enjoy the sweeter and more flavorful veggies at their peak, with all their natural sugars.

Choosing the Right Carrot Variety

Danvers

This heirloom carrot looks like a traditional carrot. It is deep orange in color and sweet in flavor. This heat-resistant variety grows 4 to 6 inches long, with pointed tips and rounded tops. These plants take 75 days to harvest. Examples include Danvers 128 and Danvers Half Long.

Imperator

This favorite all-purpose carrot has a mild, sweet flavor and long, slender roots. It grows well in loose, deep soil that can accommodate its 10-inch-long roots and prevent them from getting compacted as they grow. Most baby carrots in supermarkets are Imperator, which has a high sugar content. Examples include Sugarsnax 54 and Imperator 58.

Nantes

Nantes carrots have cylindrical roots with blunt ends. They have small cores and are loved by chefs for their deep orange color and sweet taste. They are suitable for all soil types, including heavy soil. Popular varieties include Bolero and Scarlet Nantes.

Chantenay

Chantenay carrots, including Carson Hybrid and red-cored Chantenay, are shorter, thicker, and have broad shoulders. These carrots have short, conical roots reaching 2 to 3 inches. They grow well in heavy clay soils thanks to their ability to push through less-than-ideal soil conditions. Gardeners can harvest this variety of carrots early to prevent them from becoming fibrous.

Purple Haze

This visually beautiful type has a deep purple exterior and orange interior due to the higher concentration of the antioxidant anthocyanin. It grows well in sandy soils and can reach up to 12 inches long. These carrots are great for juicing and add a colorful touch to salads and soups.

When to Plant Carrots

Carrots are a cool-season crop that can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-11. They are semi-hardy, meaning they can withstand light frosts, not severe ones or freezing temperatures. Their roots can tolerate colder temperatures, but the tips are more susceptible to damage.

The best time to plant carrots is in the spring or early fall. Carrot seeds germinate best when the soil temperature is between 55°F and 65°F but not above 75°F. Carrots are also not heat-resistant. High summer temperatures can stunt growth, diminish quality, and produce bitter flavors.

For those who want a spring harvest, plant your seeds outdoors about 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost in your area. Carrots can be grown in batches every few weeks throughout the spring. For a fall harvest, plant the carrot seeds in mid-to-late summer, about 8-10 weeks before the first fall frost. Moreover, you can adjust the sowing time based on your local climate conditions.

How to Plant Carrots

After choosing the best carrot variety and deciding the plantation time, the next step is to select a location and prepare your garden for the plantation.

Soil Requirements

Carrots require 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, along with some shade in the afternoon. The soil should be sandy, loose, and well-drained so that the roots have enough room to grow downward without becoming stunted. The roots may become stunted or forked if your garden soil is shallow, stony, or heavy clay. Consider growing shorter carrot varieties in raised beds at least 8 to 12 inches high or containers filled with the ideal soil mixture for these gardens. For maximum growth, the soil pH should be between 6 and 7.

Soil Preparation

After testing your soil, the next and more important step is to prepare it for planting. Till or dig the soil down to a depth of 10 inches. Remove all stones, rocks, and soil clumps. If the soil is not loam and airy, add about 6 inches of sandy topsoil and compost to the soil. Add fertilizers and soil amendments to improve soil structure and fertility. Carrots will grow long and straight in the softened and aerated soil.

Spacing Requirements

Carrot plants require proper spacing for healthy growth and maximum harvest. For in-ground planting, space the rows 2 to 3 feet apart and plant 24 to 40 seeds per foot within each row. The rows should be spaced 1 to 2 feet apart in raised beds or containers, with 24 to 40 seeds per foot or 24 to 30 seeds per square foot.

The best way to grow carrots is through double-row planting with drip irrigation. Plant two rows about 3 inches apart and place drip tape in the middle of each row to create a double row. Then, after a 12-inch gap, plant two more rows spaced 3 inches apart. This strategy allows for easy weed control as the crowns will shade the area between the double rows. It also increases garden space by producing two harvest rows in almost the same space as one row.

Sowing Seeds

Carrot seeds should be sown directly in the garden or their intended growing site, as carrots dislike disturbing their roots. Place the seeds 1/4 inch deep and space them 2 to 3 inches apart in a row. To help carrot seeds germinate, cover the seeds with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil and keep the seedbed moist. When the seedlings are 1-2 inches tall, thin them 2 to 3 inches apart to avoid overcrowding. The best way for thinning is to cut or pinch the seedlings at the soil line without disturbing nearby roots.

Watering

After planting, keep the soil moist, especially for the first few weeks. Seeds will not germinate if they dry out once they have sprouted, so water regularly for quick and continuous growth. Generally, carrots need at least 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Water should penetrate 6-8 inches deep to reach the roots. When growing carrots in containers that dry out faster, you'll need to water them regularly to keep the soil moist.

Drip irrigation is perfect for carrots as it gives gardeners precise control over the water each plant receives. The technique ensures slow and steady absorption into the soil. It also reduces the risk of fungal diseases by keeping foliage dry. Overwatering can stress the plants and prevent oxygen from reaching the roots. On the other hand, too little water can lead to low harvest, increased disease, pest issues, and other problems. Lay drip lines or soaker hoses along the rows of carrots for even water distribution.

However, the best way to manage irrigation is to monitor and water your plants as needed. Pressing your finger into the soil should feel damp (but not wet) at the middle knuckle.

Fertilizing

Well-fed carrots are healthier and more productive. Carrots have specific nutritional requirements. They need Nitrogen (N) for foliage growth, Phosphorus (P) for root development, and potassium (K) for general plant health and disease resistance. Before planting, add a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) into the soil for a healthy start. When the plants are 4-6 inches tall, apply a side dressing of low-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) halfway through the growing season every 1-2 weeks. Avoid using nitrogen-rich fertilizers as they can lead to poor root development.

Life Cycle of the Plant

Carrots are biennials, which means they have a two-year life cycle. In the first year, they grow foliage and develop their roots. For kitchen use, carrots are usually harvested in the first year. However, if left in the ground, carrots will flower and produce seeds in the second year. Carrot seeds germinate slowly, taking 14 to 21 days to appear.

Growing Tips

Here are some expert tips to help your carrots grow strong and healthy until harvest:

Plant a new batch of carrots every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest.
Keep the carrot seed bed consistently moist until the seeds germinate. If the soil dries out, it can lead to delayed and poor germination.
Apply mulch around the plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
Grow carrots alongside plants like onions and leeks to deter pests.
Plant radishes with your carrots to help minimize soil crusting and loosen the soil. Radishes germinate quickly, and when the carrots start growing, the radishes will be ready to harvest.
Carrot seeds can be slow to germinate (2-3 weeks).
Check the days to maturity on your carrot variety's seed packet to determine the best time to harvest.
Once your carrot seedlings have emerged, the hardest part is over.
Use our hand trowel to loosen the soil around the carrots before pulling them out to avoid breaking the tops off while the roots remain underground. Remove the tops immediately after harvesting to prevent them from drawing moisture out of the roots, which can cause the carrots to become soft.

How to Harvest Fresh Carrots

Carrots are ready to harvest about 12–16 weeks after planting. Plant multiple crops to enjoy fresh carrots almost throughout the year. Gently dig around the base to find the width of the carrot roots near the neck.

Harvest your carrots in stages as they reach full size. This will allow you to spread out your harvest over several weeks. Generally, smaller carrots taste better. Look for carrots about as wide as your thumb or at least half an inch in diameter.

Younger and shallower roots can be pulled out easily by gripping them firmly at the base of the foliage. Larger, longer roots, especially those grown for winter, may need to be gently lifted from the soil with a fork.

If you're growing carrots in early summer and spring, harvest them before the daily temperatures become too hot. Heat can make carrot roots fibrous and tough.

In the fall, carrots taste better after experiencing one or more frosts. Frost causes the plant to store sugars in its roots and improves flavor. After the first hard frost, cover the carrot tops with an 18-inch layer of shredded leaves to protect them for later harvesting.

How to Store Carrots

After harvesting, trim or cut off all carrot tops except for half an inch. Wash off any dirt under cold running water and let them air dry.

To keep carrots crisp, store them in airtight plastic bags in the refrigerator. Simply placing fresh carrots in the fridge without sealing them will cause them to become limp within a few hours.

If your garden soil won't freeze and there are no pests, you can leave mature carrots in the ground for temporary storage, like strawberries. Use mulch or row covers, and let the roots continue to become more flavorful as the temperature drops. Moreover, you can store carrots in tubs filled with dry sawdust or moist sand in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh for extended periods.

Common Diseases and Care

Carrots are prone to several pests and diseases that can reduce their growth and yield. Gardeners must have a knowledge of these issues and how to deal with them for a successful carrot crop.

Carrot Fly (Psila rosa): This flying insect lays eggs in seedlings. When the larvae hatch, they live in the soil and burrow into the roots to feed. They cause wilted and stunted plants. To protect your crop from these pests, cover it with pest-proof mesh or row covers, surround it with a 60cm (2ft) high barrier to keep these low-flying insects away, or rotate crops to manage infestations.
Aster Yellows Disease: Caused by bacteria, this disease results in shortened and discolored tops and thin, hairy roots with a bitter taste. Pests like leafhoppers spread it. Control weeds and use pest management strategies to prevent spread.
Black (Itersonilia) Canker: This fungal disease causes shallow, reddish black to brown cankers on the crown and shoulders of carrots. You can prevent it by choosing fungus-resistant varieties, covering carrot shoulders with soil, and practicing crop rotation.
Wireworms: Wireworms hollow out seeds, sever seedlings, and bore into roots and tubers. Use traps with germinating peas, beans, or corn as bait, sow seeds in warm soil for quick germination, and rotate crops to control wireworms.

Conclusion

There you go! Now, you have a complete and easy-to-follow guide for growing carrots. Carrot is a semi-hardy and productive crop that can grow in different soil conditions and climates. From choosing the right variety and preparing the soil to planting seeds and harvesting fresh and flavorful carrots, this guide will help you at each step. You'll become an expert in your carrot garden in no time. So why wait for spring or fall? Gather your gardening tools and start growing your own carrot today.