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          

(Best months for growing Carrot in USA - Zone 5a 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 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 2 - 12 inches 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

12 Jul 22, Anonymous (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Is your climate 5b? You can work it out in the BLUE tab at the top of page. Then go to the vegetable you want to grow. The info is there at the top of the page.
08 May 22, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
My carrots are at about the half way mark. The colour of the carrots is light orange, What can I do to give them a deeper redish colour, or will it come naturally? Cheers Pete
09 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Q. What causes my carrots to be pale yellow instead of the typical orange color? A. Although there are varietal differences in root color, this problem could be caused by environmental conditions. Carrots maturing under warm temperatures or high moisture conditions lack good root color. These carrots also have poor flavor and texture. Plant carrots so they mature under relatively cool temperatures that average less than 80 degrees F. Avoid excessive soil moisture. From https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/vegetables/carrot.html - 6th question down.
14 Apr 22, Dennis (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Good Day. Please advise when is the best month to plant egg plant in KZN Richards Bay.and what fertilizer and nutrients can I feed the plants. Regards Dennis
10 Dec 21, Helen Chon (USA - Zone 9a climate)
I use Neem oil to control pests for most of my plants. Will Neem Oil work for Carrot flies? I know you can’t use Neem oil in 90° weather but can you use it in 60° weather?
08 Dec 21, Helen Chon (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Cover with board? I don’t understand how a plant grows when it’s covered with a board? I must be missing something.
14 Jun 23, Cecil D. (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Cover the planted SEEDS with a board until they germinate to maintain a moist soil. Uncovered soil dries quickly (which is why we use mulch to cover them as well). Seeds will not sprout when stressed by dry soil. You barely cover the carrot seeds with soil since they are so small. Good luck!
05 Apr 23, Rachel (USA - Zone 8b climate)
It's mostly to help with moisture. Carrot seeds cannot be allowed to dry out. They come up from under just fine.
21 Feb 23, Cindy C. (USA - Zone 8b climate)
A board such as a 1 X 3" is simply to keep rain from dislodging the tiny seed from the soil and retain moisture. I check my seed germination after a week then daily until the seedlings are about 1". Then I remove the board, thin the seedlings and cover with a floating row cover. I plant them right next onions and have no problem with flies.
29 Dec 21, Darlene (USA - Zone 9a climate)
You only cover with a board temporarily as to keep the seeds from washing away and from birds eating them. After a week or more, You are to begin checking for sprouts. Within a week to 10 days, if it’s getting hotter in your climate, you elevate the board above the sprouts by placing a rock at each end of the board length and place the board on top of the two rocks. This keeps it a bit shaded since carrots are cool weather. Then as they get larger ferns and safer to expose, you remove the board. I hope that’s helpful.
Showing 31 - 40 of 362 comments

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