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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22 Feb 09, zena (Australia - temperate climate)
try companion planting. lettuce is a good companion plant to carrots and vice versa.
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10 Mar 09, Elise (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in the south east of south australia i have had good success with most other vegies but my carrots just wont germinate any time of year for 3 years maybe bugs?
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17 Mar 09, rowan barker (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
my girlfriend and i would like to grow, carrots, lettuce and tomatoes. we live in the northwest of tasmania and have no idea when to plant what or how to go about it. if anyone knows the best time to plant these plants on the northwest coast of tassie successfully please email me so we can make a start on our first vege patch. thanks
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18 Mar 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Elise: I had the same problem, until I lightly watered the seed bed 8am & 3pm everyday until the seedlings appeared (about 10-14 days). Now I can germinate carrots all year round Rowan: follow the planting guides on this site, they are a pretty good guide until you work out what works for you / your (micro) climate / your soil.
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17 May 09, Jared (Australia - temperate climate)
Rowan' If you have a local nursery and they sell seedlings they nearly always sell the correct seedling for the correct time of year, so if there selling it its good to go, i always keep my eye out for what they have out at what time of year it helps in planning when to sow in your plot!
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18 May 09, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
Do carrots prefer full sun? I'm new to vegie gardening and think my bed (on the east - NSW) isn't sunny enough for most vegies. Need to find some vegies that like the shade (hahaha). Thanks
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20 May 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Rowan: Jareds' comment is a good idea to get the variety, but do NOT buy carrot seedlings, or any root crop seedlings. It is almost impossible to get them from the tray to the ground without damaging the root. They will never be as good as seed sown. Alison: full sun? not really, I have mine in and they get about 6 hours/day and are doing fine. Watering is the tip. many light waterings (2-3 times /day) until the seedlings are about 3-5cm tall. plant radishes at the same time to get an extra crop and to break the soil crust.
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13 Jun 09, Simon (Australia - tropical climate)
Has anyone been able to grow carrots in a tropical climate
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04 Aug 09, sylvia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Onions & leeks are good companion plants for carrot, and also seem to keep down pests (except snails!). I plant one row of each, every couple of weeks, and have had no problems at all with pests. Short, stumpy carrots are usually a result of not cultivating the soil deeply enough before planting (as I learned myself!). If this is not possible, get around the problem by planting short, stumpy varieties like Chantenay, or try baby carrots. Hope this helps!
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09 Aug 09, harry levy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My soil is dug at least 6ins.deep but they still won't grow deep some were in for 2months and I pulled them the other day and they were only about 3ins long I use dynamic lifter in liquid and pellet form and blood/bone hope you can help thank you
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You only cover with a board temporarily as to keep the seeds from washing away and from birds eating them. After a week or more, You are to begin checking for sprouts. Within a week to 10 days, if it’s getting hotter in your climate, you elevate the board above the sprouts by placing a rock at each end of the board length and place the board on top of the two rocks. This keeps it a bit shaded since carrots are cool weather. Then as they get larger ferns and safer to expose, you remove the board. I hope that’s helpful.

- Darlene

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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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