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

(Best months for growing Carrot in Australia - temperate 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

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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.
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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!
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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?
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30 May 24, Ali T (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Try Neem cake
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22 Oct 22, Mar (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Can I sow carrot seeds in mid October zone 8a. The fall heat hasn't helped my failed attempts.
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25 Oct 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8a climate)
It suggests up to Sept. Carrots need to be cover with some hessian or shade cloth/??? and watered a couple of times a day. Prepare your soil well and have it in a fine crumbly level soil,
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18 Nov 22, Ruth A Hersh (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Absolutely, you can! The weather is not the same every year.
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01 Nov 22, Sharon (USA - Zone 7b climate)
When should I start my carrot seeds for harvesting in January February March
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07 Nov 22, Liz (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Find your zone at the top of the Carrot page Check the harvest time and work back from that, or check the chart which suggests sowing time.
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05 Dec 22, Harold J Roth (USA - Zone 10a climate)
What varieties of carrots do best is zone 10A ?
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Showing 11 - 20 of 26 comments
See comments for all plants

Carrots do not like excess nitorgen. This will cause them to fork or grow stumpy. Don't fertilise with Dynamic lifter. We planted carrots and they grew very well but you do need to leave them for about 3 months to grow sufficiently. Carrots grow best from seed. If you buy seedlings and then transplant you are disturbing the roots which are the part that grows to form the carrot.

- Jodie

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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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