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

09 Jun 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Short of sterilising the soil (not recommended) you have a number of options. Crop rotation is you first option; by doing this you will be breaking the cycle of these pests. Plant nematode-resistant varieties; this is not so easy as seed will probably only be available from commercial seed companies. Plant marigolds in the season before your carrots: the pungent smelling marigold roots give off a substance that will deter nematodes. In some South-East Asian countries villagers do this to protect their vegetables, linking the gold flower to Buddha who is said to be protecting their crops. Trust this helps/
09 Oct 17, Leigh (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
My aunty swore by growing carrots in sand, I tried it by pouring sand into the hole at planting time, I didn't have any problems( it could have been beginers luck, am trying again this year in a different spot in the garden). That said I don't know if this was to deter nematodes or carrot rustfly/ or eelworms. Good luck
02 Feb 19, Anne (New Zealand - temperate climate)
can i still grow carrot seeds now early February thanks
14 Apr 19, Rob (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Do carrots need a lot of sun
09 May 19, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Looks like NZ cool/mountain climate zone doesn't work for carrots. Try the aussie cool zone for carrots. Plants need sunlight 6-8 hours generally.
17 Apr 21, Michael (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I find that difficult to believe given that all of the commercial carrot growing in the North Island is done in the volcanic plateau around Ohakune and Rataehi.
20 Aug 21, Eden (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Great tips. This is really a piece of helpful information.
05 Sep 21, max guthrie (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I have had lots of trouble growing Carrots here near Arrowtown ( so do all our neighbours ) with Black Rot or Carrot fly I have tried Neim Prills and white sugar but we still get it quite badly do you have any tips. Cheers Max.
11 Sep 21, Joss (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Max, I have been growing carrots in large black plastic pots and have had no trouble with any bugs or nasty things. I sow the seed one by one in separate holes and in a circle around the pot, cover with some sacking and then lay a couple of largish stones to hold the sacking down till they sprout and then uncover them. I hope this helps. Joss Roberts
22 Sep 21, Tony (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Carrot fly seems to be getting rampant, you can buy resistant seed. One way to prevent them is to spray with diesel/kerosene which not only deters flies but kills weeds! The only sure way is to buy some biomesh insect screen and put it over the carrots as soon as you sow them. Make sure there are no gaps at the bottom though as the fly operate at about ground level.
Showing 11 - 20 of 23 comments

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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