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Growing Carrot

(Daucus carota)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
		P	P					P

(Best months for planting Carrot in USA - Zone 5a regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

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: 25 - 30 cm apart
Harvest in 12-18 weeks.
Compatible with: Onions, Leeks, Lettuce, Sage, Peas, Radishes, Tomatoes, Beans, Celery, Rosemary
Avoid growing with: Parsnips, Beetroot, Dill, Brassicas, Fennel

A few seedlings

A hardy root vegetable which grows well in deep cool soil. Carrots take about 3 weeks to show themselves and the first leaves look like grass . If broadcast sowing, mix with radish seeds which will germinate quickly and indicate the sown area. In hotter or dry areas, water well before seeding then cover with boards to maintain the moisture and cool soil for more successful germination. Check every week or so.

Over fertilised ground will produce split roots. Protect against carrot fly. It is best to put carrots in a different area of the garden each year for four or five years.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Carrot

Steamed or raw carrots are tasty. Cook them in a small amount of water until nearly dry then add a pat of butter and teasp of brown sugar to glaze.
They can be added to most casserole-type dishes.
Grate raw carrots and add to salads

Your comments and tips

15 Jun 13, Susie (Australia - temperate climate): How do I know my carrots are ready to harvest
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13 Jun 13, craig (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Can carrots be planted in bags? What form of soil should be used? Can carrots be plamted now if in a warm protected area? Thanks
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11 May 13, Neville (Australia - temperate climate): Hi could you advise me on preferred ph for carrots
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06 Jun 13, mike how (Australia - cool/mountain climate): 6.0--------6.5 lime or dolomite will gat your ph up
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28 Mar 13, northy (Australia - tropical climate): could you recommend a variety of carrot that grow best in far north queensland.
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03 Mar 13, Mkhu (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): What might be a problem when carrots becomes short and seems malformed. What can I do?
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04 Mar 13, Kevin (Australia - temperate climate): Michu Hi, Seems that your soil is not friable enough to allow the roots to go deep and the forking is due to too much ( probably fresh ) manure.
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29 Dec 12, Rosa (Australia - temperate climate): Something has been chewing my carrots. I found the culprit to be grey fat grubs about 2cm long. Can someone identify them, and should I be worried about my beetroots?
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04 Jan 13, Mark Logan (Australia - cool/mountain climate): It is most likely the African Black Beetle grub. Not much you can do about them other than digging them up and giving them to the chooks. Your beetroots may take a knock as well as will any potatoes you may have. I have found that they don't like soil in which garlic has been planted so try planting after them.
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04 Nov 12, Lee (Australia - temperate climate): Are carrots growing above the ground and green toxic like potatoes?
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Post a question, comment or tip about Carrot

Replying to:

i recently found some carrot seeds that have an expiry date of four years ago? Are they likely to germinate? I also found a mixture of other veggie seeds with different expiry dates, are any of them likely to grow? Thanks for any help... im new to the idea of veggie patches but since i have a young daughter i would really like her to eat the good stuff :)

- Kelli

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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