Growing Carrot

Daucus carota : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P             P P P P

(Best months for growing Carrot in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed

January: water well

September: broadcast sow

  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 2 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-18 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Onions, Leeks, Lettuce, Sage, Peas, Radishes, Tomatoes, Beans, Celery, Rosemary
  • Avoid growing close to: Parsnips, Beetroot, Dill, Brassicas, Fennel

Your comments and tips

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06 Jan 17, Mel (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Our current seed has yielded white, purple/black and orange and they are all lovely. It is a bit to get used to but if they taste fine I suspect cross pollination or someone muddled up the seed.
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22 Dec 16, oli (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
My Carrots turned white years ago, cross pollination i guess. we love them white and kept the seeds.
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01 Nov 16, Danielle (Australia - temperate climate)
My daughter decorated and planted carrot seeds at Bunnings. The bunnings seeds were on cardboard like matches that you stick in the soil. There was multiple seeds on each piece so when do i split up the plants so they have room to grow? The green tops are still very thin and fine but are starting to get that carrot looking leaf.
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18 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I wouldn't as carrots don't like root disturbance. wait till some are edible size and use them as baby carrots
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26 Sep 16, James McDowell (Australia - temperate climate)
when thinning out carrots cut the heads off the ones you would normally pull out ...that way you will not disturb the soil .happy gardenjng
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01 Sep 16, Inez (Australia - temperate climate)
hi i was just wondering in what season a purple carrot might grow or i s it just the same as any old carrot? and if it is the same as a "normal" carrot when do they grow(season)?
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29 Sep 16, Michael (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
you can grow purple carrots anytime of the year.
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03 May 16, Bruce Rickman (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
We live in PittMeadows British Columbia and we've carrot rust fly that bore into the carrots and spoil them Any body have suggestions to prevent them organically
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29 Sep 16, Michael (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
plant carrots with onions. the fly is attracted to the carrot smell and powerful smell of onions confuses them.
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14 Mar 16, (Australia - temperate climate)
Needs water
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Showing 141 - 150 of 368 comments
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Being a root vegetable, carrots don't need much nitrogen so if you are using chemical fertiliser use one with a low 'N' number in the N:P:K. If you are growing naturally plant them in an area that has been manured for a leaf crop and also grown a fruiting crop such as beans or tomatoes. This would give you a friable soil with reduced nitrogen.

- Ken

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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