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Planting and Growing Carrots

clean carrots on a wooden table
Image Credit:
Popidar/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
Grown as
Biennial
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Water Needs
Moderate
Height
1–3 feet
Spread
Under 1 foot
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
White
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Resilience
Cold Hardy
Plant Type
Vegetables
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Ever pulled a funky-shaped carrot out of the ground and loved it anyway? That’s the charm of homegrown carrots—quirky, colorful, and way sweeter than store-bought! With just the right soil (yes, that’s the secret), you can grow juicy, crunchy carrots in all shapes and shades. 

Whether you’re dreaming of classic orange or curious about purple or round varieties, here’s how to make your carrot patch thrive from seed to harvest.

Buy Seeds Now

Carrots grown in the garden taste more flavorful, fresher, and juicier because the sugar that makes a carrot sweet begins to be replaced by fiber as it ages in grocery stores. Another reason to grow carrots in the garden is that there are so many more varieties to try, from Belgian whites to Purple Dragon to Parisian heirlooms that are round! 

Don’t expect to get perfectly straight “grocery store” carrots in the garden, especially if your soil isn’t loose, well-draining, and sandy or loamy. Your carrots will still taste better, whatever their shape!

Stunted carrots in a gloved hand in the garden
Misshapen carrots can be caused by heavy, compacted, overly enriched soil.

Planting

When to Plant Carrots

  • Carrot seeds can be sown about 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost date. Find your local frost dates here. Ideally, you want the soil to have dried out and warmed up a little after the winter.
    • Seeds germinate after the soil temperature is at least 40°F and germinate best at 55° to 65°F, not exceeding 75°F. High summer temperatures reduce growth, decrease quality, and cause bitter or “off” flavors to develop.
  • For a fall harvest, sow seeds in mid- to late summer—starting about 10 weeks before your first fall frost.

Where to Plant Carrots

Carrots prefer sunny locations (6 to 10 hours of sun). The soil itself should be free-draining; this is one of the few crops benefiting from sandier soils. You don’t want your soil to be too rich either, or the carrots can’t reach down!

If your garden is made of rugged, clayey soil, grow carrots in containers or raised beds at least 8 inches to 12 inches high. See our tips on container gardening below!

How to Plant Carrots

  • Prepare the site by tilling to a depth of 10 inches. We recommend double-digging to be certain. Make sure there are no rocks, stones, or even soil clumps. Amend soil with compost and 6 inches of sandy topsoil if your soil isn’t loose and airy.
  • We recommend sowing seeds directly in the garden (or wherever you plan to grow them) rather than transplanting. Carrots do not like to have their roots disturbed.
  • Sow 1/4 inch deep, 2 to 3 inches apart in rows 1 foot apart.
    • Tip: Try to distribute seeds in an even fashion so that seeds don’t grow together. The seeds are pretty tiny, and it’s very easy to sow them too thickly. An easy tip is to mix the seeds with fine sand to spread the seeds out. You can then sow pinches of your sand-seed mix instead. Then, just cover the seeds over.
  • Keep the soil moist with frequent, shallow watering. For small carrot seeds to germinate, the soil mustn’t form a hard crust on top; cover with a layer of fine sand, vermiculite, or compost to prevent a crust from forming. (If you put your finger in the ground, the soil should be moist but not wet to your middle knuckle.)
  • Carrots are sometimes slow to germinate. They require 14 to 21 days to emerge, so don’t panic if your carrots don’t appear immediately!
  • Planting radishes with carrots helps minimize the crusting problem and helps you keep track of where the carrot seeds were planted. Sow quick-germinating radish seeds between carrot rows. The radishes will grow quickly, and by the time the carrots really start to grow, they can be harvested.
  • For a continued harvest, plant carrots every 4 weeks through midsummer.

Growing Carrots in Containers

You can also grow carrots in containers! It is important to grow carrots in a container that is deep enough for them at maturity. For baby or dwarf carrots, a 6- to 8-inch-deep container is needed. Standard carrots need a depth of at least 12 inches, if necessary, to accommodate a particular variety’s length. Carrots are a cool-season crop usually grown in the spring; seeds can be sown 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost. 

Prepare a loose, well-draining potting mix with a portion of compost or organic matter. Add a handful of bonemeal; it contains phosphorus, which benefits root crops. Also, add low-nitrogen fertilizer, per the package directions, based on the container size. Water the soil evenly to moisten. Sow the seeds about a 1⁄2 inch apart and 1⁄4 inch deep. (Carrot seeds are tiny and thus difficult to drop individually; pelleted seeds or seed-taped ones are good alternative means.) Cover with a very light sprinkling of soil. Water gently (a handheld pump container is advised instead of a hose, the water force from which can displace the cover soil and seeds). 

Water regularly to keep the soil moist. Container soils tend to dry relatively quickly. Dry soil can promote forking (misshapen roots). 

When carrot tops are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin them to 1 1/2 to 3 inches apart, based on the carrot size at maturity. Use scissors to cut off the tops, rather than pulling seedlings and disturbing the roots. Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks, per the package directions for the size of the container.

Growing

  • Gently mulch carrots to retain moisture, speed germination, and block the sun from hitting the roots directly.
  • When seedlings are an inch tall with 3 to 4 true leaves, thin them so that they stand 3 to 4 inches apart. Snip tops with scissors instead of pulling them out to prevent damage to the fragile roots of the remaining plants.
  • Ensure carrots receive 1 inch of water per week, either through rain or watering; do not overwater carrots.
  • Weed diligently as carrots do not like struggling against weeds, but be careful not to disturb the young carrots’ roots while doing so.
  • Fertilize 5 to 6 weeks after sowing (We recommend a low-nitrogen fertilizer as excess nitrogen in the soil promotes top, or foliage, growth—not roots). Learn more about how and when to fertilize your vegetables.

Harvesting

How and When to Harvest Carrots

How do you know when your carrots are ready? Have a little root around and check the approximate width of the roots by looking at the neck of the root. The first roots should be ready as soon as 2 months from sowing.

  • Generally, the smaller the carrot, the better the taste. Carrots should be about as wide as your thumb or at least ½ of an inch in diameter.
  • Younger and shallower roots should come away easily enough simply by gripping them firmly at the base of the foliage. It often helps to push down on the root first and then twist it as you gently pull upwards.
  • Larger, longer roots—particularly those of main-crop carrots that are sown for winter eating—may need to be eased up with the help of a fork.
  • Harvest in stages—or as roots reach full size. In this way, you’ll stagger your harvest over many weeks.
  • If you’re growing carrots in the spring and early summer, harvest before daily temperatures get too hot, as the heat can cause carrot roots to grow fibrous.
  • If you are harvesting in the fall, carrots taste much better after one or more frosts. (A frost encourages the plant to start storing energy—sugars—in its root for later use.) Following the first hard frost in the fall, cover carrot tops with an 18-inch layer of shredded leaves to preserve them for harvesting later.
  • Note: Carrots are biennials. If you fail to harvest and leave the carrots in the ground, the tops will flower and produce seeds next year.
dirty carrots straight from the garden harvest
Scrub off the dirt and remove the tops before storing carrots!

How Do You Store Fresh Carrots?

  • To store freshly harvested carrots, twist or cut off all but 1/2 inch of the tops, scrub off any dirt under cold running water, and air-dry. Seal in airtight plastic bags and refrigerate. If you simply put fresh carrots in the refrigerator, they’ll go limp in a few hours.
  • You may leave mature carrots in the soil for temporary storage if the ground does not freeze and pests aren’t a problem.
  • Carrots can also be stored in tubs of moist sand or dry sawdust in a cool, dry area.

Pests and Problems

Carrot Pests and Diseases
Pest/DiseaseTypeSymptomsControl/Prevention
Aster Yellow DiseaseBacteriaShortened and discolored carrot tops and thin, hairy roots; bitter tasteSpread by pests as they feed from plant to plant. Keep weeds down and invest in a control plan for pests such as leafhoppers. This disease has the ability to overwinter.
Black (Itersonilia) cankerFungusShallow, reddish brown/purple/black cankers form on crown and/or shoulder of carrots; small, orange-brown spots on leaves may have green halos; flowers rotChoose resistant varieties; cover shoulders of carrots with soil; rotate crops
Carrot rust fliesInsectWilted/stunted plants; tunnels with rust-color excrement in roots of carrot-family crops; root rotMonitor adults with yellow sticky traps; use row covers; add native plants to invite beneficial insects; destroy crop residue; rotate crops
Flea beetlesInsectNumerous tiny holes in leavesUse row covers; mulch heavily; add native plants to invite beneficial insects
LeafhoppersInsectWhite shed skins on leaf undersides (from nymph molting); stippling (many tiny spots) on leaves; “hopperburn” (leaves yellow/brown, curled, or stunted); reduced yieldKnock nymphs off leaf undersides with strong spray of water; use row covers; monitor adults with yellow sticky traps; weed; destroy crop residue
Root-knot nematodesInsectTypically, roots “knotty” or galled; plants stunted/yellow/wilted; roots forked/pimpledDestroy crop residue, including roots; choose resistant varieties; solarize soil; add aged manure/compost; disinfect tools; till in autumn; rotate crops
WirewormsInsectSeeds hollowed; seedlings severed; stunting/wilting; roots eaten; tubers/ bulbs boredTrap by digging 2- to 4-inch-deep holes every 3 to 10 feet, fill with mix of germinating beans/corn/peas or potato sections as bait, cover with soil or a board, in 1 week uncover and kill collected wireworms; sow seeds in warm soil for quick germination; provide good drainage; remove plant debris; rotate crops

Types

Carrots come in a rainbow of colors, sizes, and shapes.

  • ‘Bolero’: slightly tapered; 7 to 8 inches; resists most leaf pests and blights
  • ‘Danvers’: classic heirloom; 6 to 8 inches long, that tapers at the end and has a rich, dark orange color; suited to heavy soil
  • ‘Little Finger’: heirloom; a small Nantes type of carrot only 4 inches long and 1 inch thick; good for containers
  • ‘Nantes’: cylindrical (not tapered); 6 to 7 inches; exceptionally sweet; crisp texture
  • ‘Thumberline’: heirloom; round carrot, good for clumpy or clayey soil and containers
  • For unusual colors, try heirloom ‘Red Cored Chantenay’ and bright ‘Solar Yellow’
  • ‘Adelaide’: true baby carrot; miniature Nantes type (cylindrical, smooth, nearly same diameter from end to end; blunt, not pointed tip); mature at 3 to 4 inches
  • ‘Bambino’: harvest at 4 inches; dwarf tops; cylindrical, blunt roots; good for canning and pickling
  • ‘Little Finger’: heirloom; miniature Nantes type; 3 to 4 inches long; good for canning and pickling
  • ‘Romance’: Nantes type; 6 to 7 inches long, with tapered root; orange roots brighten after washing
  • ‘Romeo’: 1- to 1 1/2-inch rounds; smooth skin, needs no peeling
  • Thumbelina’: heirloom; 1- to 2-inch rounds; needs no peeling
  • ‘Touchon’: heirloom; considered best of the Nantes type; quick to mature; 6 inches long

Carrots of many colors arranged in a colorwheel

Wit and Wisdom

  • The carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus) is a root vegetable in the Umbelliferae family. Today’s cultivars are all domesticated forms of the wild carrot, Daucus carota, native to Europe and Southwestern Asia. The wild carrot has a more woody texture and is less palatable. 
  • The orange carrot is relatively new to gardens and kitchens: It first appeared in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Carrots did not become popular in the United States until after World War I, when soldiers returning from Europe brought seeds and stories of having eaten and enjoyed them.
  • Not all carrots are orange; varieties vary in color from purple to white, and some are resistant to diseases and pests.
  • Long-lasting carrots are rich in sugar and a great source of vitamins and carotene.
  • The Irish called carrots “underground honey” due to the sweetness of these root vegetables.
  • Carrots were the first vegetable to be canned commercially. Learn how to can carrots yourself!
  • Wild carrot, aka Queen Anne’s lace, is native to Europe and Asia and is an invasive species in North America. Its long taproots smell like carrots.
  • Feathery green carrot tops were once used to decorate women’s hats and sleeves.

Vegetables

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 05/29/2020 - 10:53

Hi Mary, Thank you for your kind words! First, if we understand you correctly (and forgive us if not), you are planting the carrot tops? This will grow carrot greens, a sort of edible, delicate garnish. However, it will not regroup the root vegetable itself; for that you'd need seeds.

You can grow carrot tops in water alone. Just put the top (or tops) in a glass bowl, cut side down. Fill the bowl with an inch or so of water so the top is halfway covered. Place the dish in a sunny windowsill and change the water every day. After the tops grow shoot, plant the tops in soil, careful not to cover the shoots. Harvest the greens to taste. (Some people prefer the baby greens; others prefer them fully grown.) 

 

 <span>Laurel</span> Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:20
I live in Burnaby. Ladt frost according to your info was March 28th. Can I still plant my carrots and radishes?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 04/17/2020 - 15:06

Absolutely! They'll germinate faster, since the soil should be sufficiently warmed by now. Also, it's good to plant a few rounds of carrots and radishes so that you don't get all of them at once, so plant a row now, then plant another in a few weeks. 

 <span>Courtney</span> Thu, 04/02/2020 - 12:11
I realize this is probably a dumb question, but in the video he recommends covering the carrots for the life of the crop to prevent carrot flies. If they are constantly covered, how will they receive adequate sunlight?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 04/02/2020 - 15:57

There are no dumb questions here! 

The materials used to cover crops are semi-transparent and come in different thicknesses depending on how much light you wish to let through. When used in an area that gets full sun, enough light still gets through to sustain the plants. 

 <span>Harvest Moon Garden</span> Thu, 03/26/2020 - 13:04
I am not a good 'thinner' and carrots always grow too close together so last year I tried seed tapes. Miracle of miracles. Every carrot was perfect! This year I am using 'pelleted' carrots from Territorial. Cheaper and in a white organic clay covering. So easy to see and plant...no thinning needed!!
<span>John Ayers</span> Thu, 03/26/2020 - 10:52
Grew carrots with our granddaughter this past year. Your article identified some problems we had, and we will do things different in October; now that we know not to plant them to thick and bury the seed too deep. Thanks, John
<span>Art</span> Thu, 03/26/2020 - 07:09
Pushing 80 but still only a hit and run gardener but also love home grown; recently downsized from 22 acres and starting over with container gardening;my life is learning .thank you for showing me how my dad did it during ww2,art
<span>Robin Lively</span> Thu, 03/19/2020 - 11:36
Thank you it was very informative. I think I will try carrots here in Houston.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 03/19/2020 - 15:19

Terrific, Robin! Let us know how it goes! (and thank you!)