Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
QUICK TIPS FOR GROWING CARROTS
FAMILY
NAME
Umbelliferae or Apiaceae (carrot or parsley family).
EDIBLE
PARTS
Roots.
LOCATION
Sunny location.
BEST SOIL
Fertile, sandy, loamy soil, free of debris; pH 5.5-6.8.
WHEN TO
PLANT
Sow direct starting in April up to mid-July. Plant a row every few
weeks so you will be able to eat carrots all season long.
HOW TO
PLANT
Sow seeds ⁄ -inch deep, ⁄ -inch apart, in rows spaced 12 to 24
1
inches apart. Seeds can take from 7 to 21 days to germinate and
need to be kept moist until then. Once they are a few inches tall,
thin them so plants are 2 to 4 inches apart.
1
4
2
HOW MUCH
TO PLANT
25 to 30 feet per person each season.
COMPANION
PLANTS
Plant with beans, leeks, onions, peas, and radishes.
WEEDING
Carrots need to be kept free of weeds in order to grow well.
WATERING
Water regularly, preferably with a drip irrigation system; carrots
grow best if the leaves are not wet.
FERTILIZING
It is best to add compost or manure in the fall to the area where
you will be growing your carrots the following spring.
PESTS AND
DISEASES
Carrot flies, aphids, leafhoppers, and nematodes are some
common pests that affect carrots.
WHEN TO
HARVEST
Carrots will mature in 30 to 80 days, depending on whether you
want to harvest baby carrots of fully mature ones. You can start
harvesting carrots once they are about the size of your finger.
HOW TO
HARVEST
Gently pull the carrot out of the ground. For mature carrots, push
them gently downward to break the roots, then pull them out.
This will prevent them from breaking off underground.
STORAGE
When storing carrots, remove the tops. They will keep in a plastic
bag in the refrigerator for several weeks or they can be frozen or
canned. If you have a large amount, leave them in the ground
covered with several inches of mulch and harvest as needed.
