Carrots are a versatile and delicious vegetable that can be enjoyed in many ways, and they are also a great source of nutrients and vitamins essential to a healthy diet. Knowing how to grow carrots just takes a few simple steps, but this blog will cover everything you need to know for the best carrot crop!
Growing carrots is a fantastic place to start as a beginning grower as carrots are relatively simple and have a great yield, but knowing how to grow carrots does have its nuances.
In this post, we’ll cover the health benefits of carrots, provide tips on how to plant and care for your carrot garden and share information on companion growing to get you started.
So, grab your gardening tools and let’s get started!
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The Health Benefits of Carrots
Carrots are not only delicious and versatile, but they also offer a wide range of health benefits.
One of the most well-known benefits of carrots is their positive impact on vision health. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor in the formation of vitamin A, which is essential for good eyesight.
Vitamin A helps to maintain cornea health and supports the proper functioning of the retina. Regular consumption of carrots can contribute to better overall eye health and may even help to prevent conditions such as night blindness.
In addition to supporting vision, carrots are a great source of antioxidants and other nutrients that can boost immune function.
Carrots contain vitamin C, which is known for promoting the immune system’s health. Vitamin C helps to stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are crucial in fighting infections and diseases. By incorporating carrots into your diet, you can give your immune system a natural and nutritious advantage.
Carrots are also rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, supports a healthy gut, helps to control blood sugar levels, and generates feelings of fullness. Thus, they are a great choice for those looking to manage their weight or control their appetite.
Choosing the Right Carrot Variety for Your Garden
With a wide array of carrot varieties available, each with its unique characteristics, it can be mind-boggling to figure out which is best for your needs.
Consider factors such as taste, size, colour, and growing conditions when selecting your carrot seeds.
Carrots come in various flavours ranging from sweet and mild to earthy and robust. Popular sweet varieties include Bolero and Kuroda Nova, while Nantes Coreless offers a more robust flavour.
Size is another important consideration. Carrots can be classified into baby, medium-sized, and large varieties.
Baby carrots, such as Little Fingers, are perfect for snacking and are quick to mature.
If you prefer larger carrots for cooking or juicing, varieties like Kuroda Nova and Royal Chantenay are excellent choices.
The colour of carrots is not only visually appealing but also indicative of their nutritional content. While orange is the most common colour, carrots can also be found in vibrant shades of purple, yellow, and even white.
For example, Purple Haze, Lunar White, and Rainbow Blend are striking options that can add a pop of colour to your garden and plate. Additionally, different coloured carrots offer unique antioxidant profiles, making them an excellent addition to a balanced diet.
Lastly, consider the growing conditions in your garden. Some carrot varieties are more tolerant of specific soil types, temperatures, and climates.
For instance, Chantenay and Nantes carrots are known for their ability to thrive in heavy or clay soils, while Napoli carrots are well-suited for cooler climates.
Research the specific requirements of different carrot varieties to ensure they will flourish in your garden’s environment.
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When to Plant Carrots
Carrots are a cool-season crop, which means they grow best in cooler temperatures. Seeding them early in the growing season has an advantage. Check seed packages for maturation dates to get a ballpark for specific timing recommendations.
Different carrot crops could be sown 2-3 weeks apart to enjoy more baby carrots longer!
Related: A Comprehensive Guide to Planting and Seeding Vegetables in Zone 3 and 4 Gardens
How to Plant Carrots
When it comes to growing carrots, proper seeding and growing methods help to ensure successful cultivation.
Here are some step-by-step tips to help you grow healthy and delicious carrots:
1. Choose the Right Location for Growing Carrots
Sun and soil conditions will determine your carrot growing success.
Select a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least six hours of sunlight daily. The more sun they get, the better.
Carrots thrive in loose, well-draining soil, so avoid areas with compacted soil or excessive moisture, as these conditions can hinder carrot growth.
2. Prepare the Soil for Carrot Cultivation
Carrots can be grown in pots, window boxes, raised beds, and the ground.
Before planting, give attention to soil preparation. Carrots grow best in fertile, soft soil. I recommend loose soil to a depth of 30 cm (12″).
Compacted soil restricts carrot root growth, and poorly draining soil may cause the roots to rot.
Fresh, high-quality soil is simple to replace in pots and planters and should be done yearly.
Check the soil in raised beds and organic matter like compost or well-aged manure if it is compacted. The soil in my raised beds stays soft now that I add a new layer of compost and augment the mulch in the fall.
Remove any rocks, weeds, or debris that may impede or compete with carrot growth for in-ground gardens.
If necessary, loosen the soil to a depth of at least 30 cm (12″), and incorporate organic matter such as compost or well-aged manure to improve soil fertility and drainage if needed.
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3. How to Sow Carrots
Fresh, high-quality soil is simple to replace in pots and planters.
Carrots can be sown in a long trough or in a checkerboard pattern.
No matter the pattern chosen for growing carrots, I recommend lining the soil with seeding soil, whether in pots, planters, raised beds, or the ground. Here’s why: Seeding soil contains surfactants that hold moisture better than potting soil or topsoil, and it is also softer for the baby roots to dig into.
If carrots are going to have a problem in a garden, it’s most commonly because they dry out during germination.
Carrot seeds are quite small, so I sow them shallowly, 6-12 mm (1/4-1/2″) deep.
I start by creating a trough (or hole if using a checkerboard pattern) about 2.5-3.5 cm (1-1.5″) deep for the carrot seeds. I find seeding and growing carrots in a trough simpler and quicker.
Why dig the trough so deep? Because the seeding mix makes the trough shallower.
Then, I cover the seeds with a thin layer of Vermiculite, being careful not to bury them too deep.
I am a great fan of Vermiculite because it holds water so well.
Related: Perlite vs Vermiculite: What are the Differences?
I top the Vermiculite off with just a tiny bit of soil from the surrounding area and gently press it down with a flat hand to know that the seeds are in contact with the soil and to keep everything in place.
4. Watering the Carrot Seeds
All seeds need moisture to germinate, so I water in the seeds with a gentle water spray. I let that water soak in and repeat several times.
One key to carrot germination is to prevent the seeds from drying out, so I check them daily to keep the soil evenly moist.
I label the row with the seed variety and the date they were seeded so I can monitor the germination speed and success.
Carrots will germinate in about 7 days when the soil temperature is 20°C (68°F). The cooler the soil, the longer it will take them to sprout.
I keep mulch off of the carrots until they grow 7.5-10 cm (3-4″ tall), and that’s when I thin them, too, but we’ll talk more about next.
Tips for Caring for Carrots
Let’s dig into the details of spacing, watering, mulching, harvesting, and storing carrots.
How to Space Carrots
Carrots need enough space to grow and develop their roots properly, otherwise their roots crowd, twist, and don’t mature to their full potential.
Once the seedlings have emerged and grown to 7.5-9 cm (3-3.5″ tall), it’s time to thin them to a final spacing of 3-5cm (1-2″) to allow the carrots enough room to develop without crowding.
A simple way to ensure consistent spacing is to measure 2-3 fingers between each carrot, pulling out the seedlings in between.
Watering and Mulching Carrots
Carrots require consistent moisture for optimal growth, which can be attained through mulching and watering.
Once the carrots have grown to 10cm (4″), mulch the carrot bed with organic mulch such as bark chips to assist soil water retention and suppress weed growth.
Water the soil evenly and deeply so the soil is moist but not soggy.
Related: What is Mulch? Making Gardening Magic with Mulch, How to Use Mulch in Planters and Hanging Baskets
Harvesting Carrots
Check seed packages for maturity times, but regardless of the variety, carrots can be harvested earlier as sweet-tasting fresh baby carrots.
To harvest, first gently loosen the soil with a small gardening fork or trowel, being careful not to damage the roots. Then, gingerly pull the carrots from the soil, careful not to pull off the tops.
Harvesting in the early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are cooler, can help preserve the carrots’ quality and flavour.
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Storing Carrots
How carrots are stored has a great impact on how long they will keep.
Once the carrots have been dug, trim the stems back to 1.25-2.5 cm (1-1.5″) and gently brush off any excess soil, taking care not to damage the skin.
Avoid washing the carrots at this stage, as moisture can promote rotting during storage. Leaving about an inch of green stem attached to the carrot, as this helps prolong their shelf life.
Place the trimmed and cleaned carrots in a perforated plastic bag or a container with a lid, leaving some room for air circulation.
Store them in a cool place like a refrigerator or cool room near 3°C (35-35°F), which will help maintain their crispness, prevent moisture buildup, and extend their storage time.
Vegetables to Companion Grow with Carrots
Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves growing different plants together to enhance their growth, pest resistance, flavour, and overall health.
One of the best companions for carrots is the humble onion. Onions act as natural pest repellents, deterring pests such as carrot flies and aphids.
Related: How to Grow Great Onions in Alberta and on the Prairies
Another excellent companion for carrots is the aromatic herb Rosemary. This fragrant herb adds a delightful aroma to your garden and repels pests like carrot rust flies.
A third carrot companion to carrots is radishes. Carrots and radishes develop a symbiotic relationship, each benefitting the other. Radishes act as natural soil aerators, breaking up compacted soil and allowing the carrot roots to grow more efficiently. Fast-growing radishes also help deter pests like nematodes, which can harm carrots.
Related: The Ultimate Vegetable Companion Planting Guide from A-Z
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Start Growing Carrots!
Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting, I hope this guide has given you valuable insights and motivation to incorporate carrots into your garden and daily meals. Carrots are a great vegetable to being growing your own food, and they are incredibly versatile. Get ready to dig in and savour the satisfaction of growing and enjoying your own homegrown carrots!
©Sharon Wallish Murphy ©Gardening with Sharon
