Daucus carota
Sweet, crunchy, and packed with nutrients, homegrown carrots have incomparable flavor and can be grown in even small spaces.
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Loosen soil to a depth of 10 inches, removing stones and clods that can cause forks. Blend in sifted compost or sand to keep the seedbed light and well drained.
Mist the surface daily until germination, then switch to 1 inch of water per week applied in one deep soak. Avoid alternating drought and saturation to prevent cracking.
Skip high nitrogen amendments. Mix in kelp meal at sowing and side-dress with compost tea halfway through the season for steady growth.
Thin seedlings twice: first to 1 inch apart, then to 2 to 3 inches depending on desired root size. Snip extras at soil level to avoid disturbing neighbors.
Harvest when shoulders reach 3/4 inch across. Loosen the soil with a fork before pulling. Store unwashed roots in a crate of damp sand or peat in a cool space for up to six months.
These plants grow well together and can provide mutual benefits like pest control, improved soil health, and efficient space usage.
Watch out for these common pests and diseases. Early detection and prevention are key to maintaining healthy plants.
| Issue | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Patchy germination | Keep the seedbed evenly moist with daily misting or drip tape and resow bare spots promptly. |
| Forked or twisted roots | Ensure the soil is stone free, avoid fresh manure, and cut thinnings rather than pulling them. |
| Carrot rust fly tunnels | Use insect netting immediately after sowing and rotate plantings to a new bed each year. |
Smooth Nantes type with sweet flavor and strong tops for bunching.
Dependable storage carrot that resists cracking and holds in the fridge.
Eye-catching purple exterior with a sweet orange core for salads.
Check out our companion planting guides and learn about creating productive plant guilds for your garden.
