Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Carrots (
Daucua carota
)
Carrots are a biennial root crop. The plant's natural cycle is to develop a large, thick root the first
year and then move quickly to flowering and seed the following spring. Carrots are related to the
wild Queen Anne's lace plants but bred for sweet, tender roots.
Carrots need loose, friable soil but grow better roots when they aren't fertilized too heavily with
nitrogen. Heavy nitrogen encourages thick top growth and too-fast root growth, which can lead to
forking and splitting.
Carrots do not transplant well, so plan to sow seeds directly into the garden. These are one of the
few plants I really do sow thicker than needed because my carrots never seem to germinate as well
as the other plants I like, and have a higher die off in the first couple weeks as seedlings. Thin
gradually so that at a month you have seedlings 4 to 6 inches apart.
thinninG SeedlinGS
Some crops can be thinned by pulling the plant out and tossing to the chickens, goats, or into the
compost bin. Others, like carrots, should be thinned by cutting off the plant at the ground level. We use a
simple pocket-knife for this and just slice it through the soil severing the stem from the roots. The idea is to
not disturb the roots of the surrounding plants while they are growing.
For the best, most tender carrots you want your plants to grow quickly and easily. If the roots have
to work too hard to get through the soil, they will be tough and fibrous. If your soil is more clay,
consider the shorter carrot varieties.
Anywhere from 9 to 20 weeks will be needed before harvest, depending on the variety and how
soon you harvest. Pull carrots as needed for fresh eating, or at the end of fall for root cellar storage.
The carrot roots can be stored in a basket of moist sand.
Atomic Red.
Brilliant red carrots are high in beta-carotene and lycopene and grow about 8 inches
long in 70 days.
Chantenay Red Core.
This variety tolerates heavier soil than most carrots and is a super-sweet,
5-inch-long carrot.
Danvers Half Long.
A tapered wedge-shaped carrot that grows 6 inches long. This carrot has been
popular for more than 100 years. Good winter-storage and very tolerant of a variety of soils.
Parisienne.
A French, round carrot grown for market, it's a good choice for heavier soils.
Snow White.
A white-fleshed carrot that matures at about 8 inches with a sweet, crunchy texture.
Over the Garden Fence
In southern areas with mild winters, you can leave the carrots in the ground under a thick layer of mulch
instead of harvesting them in the fall. Dig and harvest through the winter as needed!
