How to Grow Carrots

Overview

Carrots are a staple allotment crop, easy to grow and incredibly satisfying to pull from the ground. They prefer light, stone-free soil and a sunny position. With successive sowings from spring to midsummer, you can enjoy fresh carrots from June right through to November.

Health Benefits

Packed with beta-carotene: The body converts beta-carotene into Vitamin A, which is essential for good vision, especially in low light. The deeper the orange colour, the more beta-carotene they contain.

Rich in fibre and Vitamin K1: Carrots support healthy digestion and blood clotting. Freshly pulled carrots retain more nutrients than those that have spent days in transit and storage.

A source of protective antioxidants: Carrots contain lutein, lycopene, and polyacetylenes, which may help protect cells from oxidative damage.

Soil Preparation

Carrots need deep, light, stone-free soil to develop straight roots. Remove any large stones and break up compacted soil to at least 30cm depth. Avoid freshly manured soil, which causes roots to fork. A slightly sandy loam with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8 is ideal. Raised beds work well for heavy clay soils.

Sowing & Planting

Sow seeds directly outdoors from March to July in shallow drills 1cm deep, spacing rows 15-20cm apart. Sow thinly to reduce the need for thinning. Thin seedlings to 5-8cm apart when large enough to handle, doing this in the evening to reduce carrot fly attraction. Make successive sowings every 3-4 weeks for a continuous supply.

Care & Maintenance

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells, to prevent roots from splitting. Weed carefully by hand to avoid disturbing the roots. Mulch between rows to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid overhead watering late in the season to reduce the risk of fungal disease.

Harvesting

Lift carrots from June to November, depending on sowing date. Ease them out with a fork to avoid snapping the roots. Early varieties are ready in about 12 weeks, while maincrop types take 16-20 weeks. Carrots can be left in the ground and harvested as needed through autumn.

Common Problems

Carrot fly is the biggest pest, its larvae tunnel into roots leaving brown channels. Cover crops with fine mesh or enviromesh from sowing to harvest.

Forked roots result from stony or freshly manured soil. Prepare beds carefully and use short-rooted varieties in heavier ground.

Green shoulders occur when the tops of roots are exposed to light. Earth up around the crowns as they grow.

Companion Planting

Carrots benefit from being grown near lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and rosemary. The strong scent of alliums and rosemary can help confuse carrot fly. Avoid planting near dill, which can cross-pollinate and attract similar pests.