Carrots
Carrots are a root vegetable which are typically orange in colour, but vary through other colour such as purple, yellow, white and red. The vegetable has a natural sweetness and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are an excellent source of vitamins A, K and B6. While usually thrown away, the stems and leaves are also edible.
Maturing timespan: 60-80 days
Season: Cool seasons
Exposure: Full sun (6-10 hours)
Difficulty: Easy
Planting
Prepare the soil by digging about 10 inches down, making sure there are no rocks, stones, or soil clumps. Add compost and about 6 inches of sandy topsoil if the soil isn’t loose and airy. Sow the seeds directly into the garden about ¼ inches deep. Separate the seeds by about 2-3 inches apart, with rows a foot apart. Keep soil moist by frequently watering the top layer of soil, only a few inches. For small carrot seeds, cover with a layer of fine sand, vermiculite, or compost, if you put your finger in the ground, your middle knuckle should moist. *Sowing quick-germinating radish seeds between carrot rows can help minimize crusting and keep track of where the carrots were planted. The radishes should be ready to harvest about the same time the carrots start to really grow.
Caring for the Plant
Add mulch to speed up germination, retain moisture, and prevent the sun from directly hitting the roots. When seedlings are an inch tall with 3-4 leaves thin leaves that are about 3-4 inches apart, cut the tops. Ensure the carrots get an inch of water a week. Weed diligently and fertilize 5-6 weeks after sowing using a low-nitrogen fertilizer.
Harvesting
The carrots should be ready when they are at least ½ an inch in diameter. Young, shallow roots come out easily by gripping them at the base of the foliage. Push down on the root, then twist while gently pulling up. For larger, longer roots, do the same but use a fork to help ease them up. Harvest in stages, or as roots reach their full size. If you’re growing carrots in the spring and early summer, harvest them before daily temperatures get too hot. If harvesting in the fall, its better to harvest after one or more frosts. Following the first hard frost, cover carrot tops with 18 inches of shredded leaves to preserve and harvest later.
Seed Saving Instructions
To harvest carrot seeds, allow the seed heads to fully ripen on the plant. When it begins to brown and become dry, carefully cut the heads and place them in a small paper bag or unlidded jar in a dry place. Let them dry out completely. One they are dry and have darkened, seal the container or bag and shake to release the seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place until you are ready to plant them.
Sources
- How to grow carrots: The Complete Guide. Almanac.com. (2025a, February 6). https://www.almanac.com/plant/carrots
- Rhoades, J. (2011, March 22). Learn about saving carrot seeds. gardeningknowhow. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/carrot/saving-carrot-seeds.htm