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
  • Carrot harvest (commons.wikimedia.org - woodleywonderworks - CC BY 2.0)
  • A few seedlings
  • Very young carrot seedlings
  • Young carrot plants

A hardy root vegetable which grows well in deep cool soil.

Carrots take about 3 weeks to show themselves and the first leaves look like grass.

If broadcast sowing, mix with radish seeds which will germinate quickly and indicate the sown area. In hotter or dry areas, water well before seeding then cover with boards to maintain the moisture and cool soil for more successful germination. Check every week or so.

Over fertilised ground will produce split roots. Protect against carrot fly. It is best to put carrots in a different area of the garden each year for four or five years.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Carrot

Steamed or raw carrots are tasty. Cook them in a small amount of water until nearly dry then add a pat of butter and teaspoon of brown sugar to glaze.
They can be added to most casserole-type dishes.
Grate raw carrots and add to salads

Your comments and tips

11 Nov 09, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Meeghan, Carrots and parsnips will take about 3/4 weeks before you see anything above ground. Carrots look a bit like blades of grass when they start. Tom, there's probably too much fertiliser in your soil. See the comment from Skip (02/11)
01 Dec 16, Elizabeth (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have grown carrots successfully for years but my latest crop of young carrots are all white!!!! why
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.
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.
06 Feb 17, mark (New Zealand - temperate climate)
tried to grow carrots for 2 seasons now i doen take off. carrots only size of my small finger as the biggest of the crop.how can i fix it?
07 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
There are a number of reasons why your carrots are small. Carrots like deep friable (loose and fine) soil so if it is only shallow try and dig it deeper and break it up. They also do not like too much nitrogen in the soil. If you have a lot of fresh manure they will grow big tops and small carrots. If your soil is shallow and has clay close to the surface plant the round varieties and eat them when they are golf ball size. Maybe they are not getting enough water. I suggest you think about all these things and also make sure to plant the right variety for the time of year. I'm sorry I can't help you more but trust these suggestions help. All the best for your next crop!
28 Mar 17, Kate (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I sow carrots every year but since living near the sea most of my biggest carrots split. I can make soup of the split carrots as they are tender but that is all. I do not put them in manured areas although I generally have grown a green crop in the winter and have it well dug in before I sow. Should I save an area from the green crop?
30 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Splitting carrots in fruit and vegetables is generally an indicator of too much water suddenly. The skin of the fruit or vegetable that is affected can't handle the increase in water intake and will split. I have seen tomatoes, carrots, apricots, capsicums and oranges affected. In your location extra rainfall can't be controlled so ensure that drainage is good. Fresh manure causes forked and twisted roots as the decomposers working on the manure can damage the growing root tip causing it to fork. A leaf crop followed by a fruit crop (beans, tomatoes, etc) then a root crop is a good rule of thumb to follow.
03 Apr 17, Catherine (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Thank you. My soil is very free draining and deep as it is on a hill and has sands with it. I will plant next season's carrots where this season's peas were.
08 Jun 17, Shane Cave (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Nematodes are ruining my carrots, what can I do?
Showing 1 - 10 of 23 comments

Meeghan, Carrots and parsnips will take about 3/4 weeks before you see anything above ground. Carrots look a bit like blades of grass when they start. Tom, there's probably too much fertiliser in your soil. See the comment from Skip (02/11)

- Liz

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