Carrots are a cool-season crop best planted in the spring. This popular vegetable has a natural sweetness, particularly when you grow it at home. The carrots you grow in your home garden taste more flavorful, fresher, and juicier because, over time, the sugars that make carrots sweet are replaced by fibre when they sit on store shelves.
However, it’s important to note that learning how to grow carrots can be challenging. And the secret lies in the soil, as long as you prepare the soil well, it will be easy to grow carrots.
When to Plant Carrots
When learning how to grow carrots, it’s essential to know the right time to plant them for the best germination rates and overall success. Carrots are a cool-season crop, which means they can be planted in early spring once soil temperatures reach around 50 degrees F. For the best seed germination, aim for soil temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees F.
How to Grow Carrots In Different Ways
Do you know you can grow carrots in multiple ways? But before you start, keep the following tips in mind:
- Choose a sunny spot and prepare it with organic soil, such as compost. Carrots thrive in loose, well-draining, fertile soil.
- In most areas, carrot seeds can be sown in spring, summer, and autumn. Sow the seeds directly, as carrots don’t transplant well. Always use fresh seeds.
- Add a layer of seed-raising mix when sowing the seeds.
- Feed carrots with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, such as potato food.
- Water the carrots regularly and deeply, especially during dry periods.
Growing Carrots From Seeds
- Prepare the planting site by tilling to a depth of 10 inches. It is best to use a double-digging method to ensure the soil is well-aerated. Remove any rocks, stones, or soil clumps to create a smooth planting surface. If your soil isn’t naturally loose and airy, amend it with compost and 6 inches of sandy topsoil.
- It’s best to sow carrot seeds directly in the garden rather than transplanting, as carrots dislike having their roots disturbed. Space the seeds in rows 1 foot apart, 1/4 inch deep, and 2 to 3 inches apart.
- To avoid overcrowding, try to distribute the seeds evenly since they are very small and easy to sow too closely. If you find this difficult, mix the seeds with fine sand to help space them out. Then, sow pinches of this sand-seed mix. Cover the seeds lightly after sowing.
- Keep the soil consistently moist with frequent, shallow watering. For the small carrot seeds to germinate, the soil surface should not form a hard crust. Add a thin layer of fine sand, vermiculite, or compost to prevent crusting. The soil should be moist to your middle knuckle when you test it with your finger but not too wet.
- Carrots can be slow to germinate. They often take 14-21 days to emerge, so be patient if you are still waiting to see growth.
- Planting radishes alongside carrots can help minimize crusting issues and mark where carrot seeds have been planted. Sow quick-germinating radish seeds between the carrot rows. The radishes will grow and be ready for harvest by the time the carrots start to develop.
- To enjoy a continuous carrot harvest, plant seeds every four weeks through mid-summer.
Growing Carrots In Containers
Growing carrots in pots is an excellent way to create the ideal growing conditions and avoid pests like carrot flies.
- Choose pots that are at least 10 to 12 inches deep and wide.
- For a low-fertility mix, combine one part sand with one part potting mix.
- Sow the seeds thinly across the surface of the filled pot and cover them with a light layer of the mix.
- Water thoroughly, label the pot, and place it in a sunny spot.
- Keep the soil consistently moist, as carrots grown in containers rely entirely on you for their water and nutrients.
- As soon as the seedlings emerge, thin them out to ensure they are spaced evenly.
- Harvest the carrots when they reach finger size.
Growing Carrots From Carrot Tops
When learning how to grow carrots, remember to save your carrot tops after chopping them before cooking. It not only helps reduce waste but also gives you a chance to grow new plants!
Here’s how to regrow carrot tops:
- Fill the bottom of a shallow dish or plate with water and place it in a sunny spot.
- Arrange the carrot tops on the plate, making sure their bottoms are in contact with the water but have yet to submerge fully.
- Change the water every few days to keep it fresh, ensuring it doesn’t evaporate and dry out the carrot tops.
- Watch as the carrot tops begin to sprout roots.
- Once the roots are long enough, you can plant the carrot tops in the soil to grow and care for them!
Watering Carrots
Water carrots regularly, adjusting the amount based on your soil type. If possible, use drip irrigation to provide consistent moisture. Don’t over-water, as this can lead to hairy roots and forking. To help conserve soil moisture, apply mulch around the plants. Keep in mind that fluctuations in moisture can cause root disorders, slow leaf growth, and lead to bitterness. Alternating wet and dry conditions can also increase the likelihood of root cracking.
Fertilizing Carrots
Six weeks after the carrot seedlings emerge, apply ¼ cup of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) per 10 feet of row to promote rapid plant and root growth. Place the fertilizer beside the plants and water it into the soil so that it can absorb properly.
Harvesting Carrots
Carrots are ready to harvest about 12–16 weeks after sowing. By planting in succession, you can enjoy fresh carrots nearly year-round.
Harvest them as soon as they’re large enough to use, rather than waiting for the roots to grow larger, as this can affect their flavour. Spring-sown carrots are especially delicious when young, sweet, and crunchy, making them perfect for eating raw.
Storing Carrots
When learning how to grow carrots, it’s also important to know how to store them properly after harvesting. It is best to twist or cut off the tops of freshly harvested carrots, scrub them under running water to remove any dirt and let them air dry. Place the carrots in airtight plastic bags and refrigerate them; otherwise, they will become limp within a few hours.
If you are not dealing with freezing temperatures or pest issues, mature carrots can be temporarily stored in the soil. Alternatively, carrots can be stored in tubs filled with moist sand or dry sawdust in a cool, dry place.
