How To Grow Carrots: Tips on Planting And Caring (2024)

FAQs

How To Grow Carrots: Tips on Planting And Caring? ›

Planting Carrots

Plant seeds on soil surface, then cover seed with compost or fine sand to help with stand establishment. Maintain a uniform and moist soil surface to ensure good plant stands. Seeded carrots should be spaced 2-3 inches between plants in the row with rows 12-18 inches apart. Dense plantings will reduce weed pressure.

Carrots prefer full sun and relatively cool soil. In a raised bed, neighboring plants will help shade the soil and keep it from getting too hot. Consistent moisture produces the tastiest carrots, so give them about 1" of water per week.

Carrot seeds can be sown from early spring right through to late August and can be harvested almost all year round. Most varieties are sown outdoors between April and July. Early cultivars such as the 'Nantes 2' can be sown under a cloche or started in greenhouses from February.

Carrots need loamy, loose soil for best root development. Water immediately after planting, then give plants 1 inch of water per week. When roots start to mature, increase the amount of water to 2 inches per week.

Carrots need well-drained, well-cultivated soil. Add a couple inches of compost or well-rotted manure, and a light application of general-purpose fertilizer before planting. Work it into the top 8 to 10 inches of soil. Although carrots tolerate a little shade, they'll be at their sweet, crunchy best in full sunlight.

During the growth stage, we advise you avoid nitrogen-based fertilizers because they promote the growth of foliage yet carrots are root vegetables. Instead, find a fertilizer that contains potassium and phosphate. These two nutrients boost root development which will thereby increase carrot yields.

I always recommend planting chives, garlic, onions, leeks, or shallots next to your carrots and leafy greens. The reason being, these members of the onion plant family have a strong scent that repels pests like aphids and carrot flies. Chives are also said to improve the flavor of carrots growing nearby.

They do not grow well during hot weather. For a fall crop, plant 10 – 12 weeks before the first frost. Raised beds work well for carrots. Full sun requires direct light at least 6 hours/day; prefers 8 - 10 hours/day.

Growing Carrots From Seed

Carrots dislike transplanting, so sow the seeds outdoors, about 1/8-inch deep, in rows spaced 15 inches apart. An easy planting tip: Space the seeds along the ground and lightly rake the soil over them with your hand.

How to get carrots to grow bigger? ›

Carrot Care. To grow strong, straight carrots, the soil must be loose, deep, well-drained, and moist. Preparing the soil and removing obstacles like rocks and sticks is key. Thinning plants and relentlessly pulling up weeds also go a long way when it comes to growing carrots that are as beautiful as they are tasty.

Excessive watering can lead to forked roots, especially when this occurs during the first few weeks after seeding. Excessive soil moisture from over-irrigating or heavy rainfall will often cause growth cracks in carrots. Wide fluctuations, too, in moisture can cause cracking.

Carrot seeds are naturally slow germinators, but you can speed things up a bit by priming the seeds indoors. Starting three to four days before you plan to sow them, soak carrot seeds in water for an hour, and then transfer them to a damp paper towel. Fold to enclose the seeds, then put inside an airtight container.