How To Grow Carrots

How To Grow Carrots

Carrots are one of the easiest root vegetables to grow.

They can be planted early in the season and can be harvested up until the first snowfall.

fresh carrots

What you need to know about planting carrot seeds

Pick a location where you are going to grow carrots. They prefer full sun, though they can tolerate a bit of shade. Carrots do not do well being transplanted so planting directly into the garden is best.

Work the soil well, adding any amendments like peat moss, sand (for slow draining soil) and compost. If your soil is compacted in any way it is very important to add some of these amendments for the best growth possible. Because carrots grow undisturbed for the season the best opportunity to get what you want into the soil must happen before seeds go into the ground.

Dig the soil to at least 12 inches deep, mix the chosen amendments in well and level out the soil with a rake.

You can buy loose carrot seeds, or they can be bought as a seed tape. This is a paper tape that will breakdown in the soil after it has been watered a few times. The seeds are properly spaced out and make it very easy for planting.

If you are planting in rows, run a string as a guide to get nice straight rows. Sow seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch and roughly 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart and space rows a foot apart. If planting into a raised garden bed space the seeds accordingly.

It can take 2 – 3 weeks for carrots to germinate. Be sure to keep the rows wet as it will aid in germination.

Grow Different Varieties

Carrots now come in a variety of colours like yellow and purple and are quite beautiful! Be sure to look for them when sourcing seeds. There are some varieties that are specifically bred to grow in containers. Other that grow epically long and skinny or wide and stubby.

mixed carrots

Carrots are easy to take care of during the season. Be sure to weed the rows well so the carrots do not have to compete for nutrients with the much faster growing weeds. If you practice mulching, you can start as soon as the carrots have been planted.

Spacing is very important when growing carrots. If the seeds are too close together the carrots will grow into each other restricting growth and carrot size.

Carrot seeds are tiny, and it can be difficult getting proper spacing when planting. This is where thinning comes into play. It might seem like a shame to pull out perfectly fine seedlings, but you are ensuring your carrot harvest will be full and plentiful. You will be rewarded with large, full, beautifully straight carrots. Thin when the seedlings are an inch tall.

thinning carrots

One of the best discoveries I have made in the garden is how important thinning seedlings is. It is a practice that results in bigger, healthier harvests!

Harvesting Carrots

It is very important to use a shovel or garden fork for harvesting carrots. Attempting to pull them out by hand using the greens usually ends with a handful of greens and the carrots firmly still in their row.

You can start harvesting carrots when they are medium sized. Check on them periodically to see how the growth is. It is best to harvest throughout the rows as this helps give the remaining carrots extra space to grow.

When harvesting, place the shovel or fork into the soil 4 – 6 inches away from the carrots. Gently lift and loosen the soil, exposing the carrots. Grasping the carrot, pull upwards. If it is resisting, further loosen the soil and give the carrots a bit of a wiggle. If you pull down on a carrot that is firmly in the ground, it will snap in half.

It is best to harvest when the ground is dry. Brush any loose soil off the harvested carrots. You can remove the greens now or leave them on. I like to give the carrots a good wash outdoors and leaving the green on makes it easier to move large amounts around. After the surface dirt is removed, do a second washing to prepare them for long term storage.

Carrots are biennials and will go to flower if left in the ground, if temperatures are favourable they will produce seed.

freshly picked

Storing Your Harvest

Be sure to scrub the carrots, making sure they are dirt free. Trim the greens off and allow the carrots to dry fully. Place them in plastic bags, seal and store in the fridge.  You can also use tubs with moist sand for long term carrot storage. Place trimmed carrots into the lightly moistened sand and store in a cool dry location.

cut into coins

Processing Carrots for Freezing

Carrots are a great vegetable to consider freezing for long term storage. To prepare them for freezing wash, trim the ends off and then they need to be peeled. Chop the carrots into coins.

They are ready to be blanched. We blanch the vegetables we plan to freeze to retain colour, nutrients and texture. Simply get a large pot of water on to boil and have a large bowl with ice cold water ready to quickly cool the hot carrots.

Once the water is boiling add a good portion of the carrot coins and cover the pot. They should be in the water for 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove the carrots from the hot water into the ice bath. This quickly stops the carrots from over cooking.

When the carrots have cooled fully, remove them from the ice bath to kitchen towels and allow them to air dry. Once the carrots are dried, they can be bagged and frozen.

How to Grow Carrots

Published by Redawna

Garden & Food Writer/Educator/Photographer. NFT artist. Management Professional. Community Builder. Entrepreneurial spirit.

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