Carrots are a must-have vegetable in any garden because of their versatility in the kitchen, but also because carrots are so easy to grow! Packed full of vitamins and antioxidants, carrots are an important part of our diet, and so if you already have a garden, you should definitely think of growing carrots! If you don't have a garden, it's time to start one now and there is no better vegetable to start off with than carrots! If you're interested in learning how to plant carrots, keep reading our gardening guide below!
Carrots, daucus carota, grow best in cooler climates, usually in early spring and late fall. At night, temperatures should reach around 55F (13C), and during the day, temperatures should be around 75F (24C). Although they prefer full sun, they can tolerate a little bit of shade as well.
You can plant carrots in raised beds, pots or containers, or directly into the soil. Before planting your carrots, be sure that the soil is free of any rocks, weeds, or other debris. Enrich the soil by adding in plant material. This will ensure that the soil is packed full of minerals. Choose sandy, well drained loam. Ensure that the soil is free of rocks, as your carrots may not develop properly. Poor quality soil can have a serious effect on your carrots.
Before planting, till the area where you will be planting your carrots. This will give the carrots a chance to grow straight and long and will also aerate the soil. Fertilize the soil with 1 cup of 10-20-10 for every 10 feet of row. Mix the soil with the fertilizer well.
How to Plant Carrots in The Garden
Planting Carrots:
- Choose sandy, well drained-loam for growing carrots. The better quality the soil, the better your carrot will come out! Alternatively, you can also use potting soil.
- Heavy soils may cause the carrots to mature too slowly which can damage the roots.
- Till or dig the area where you'll be planting your carrots.
- Fertilize the soil with one cup of 10-20-10 for every 10 feet of row you plant.
- Mix the soil and fertilizer before planting.
- Plant carrot seeds in rows that are 1-2 feet apart and plant each seed 1/2 inch deep. Each carrot seed should be spaced 1-2 inches apart.
- Water well after planting.
- Seeds will germinate within 2-3 weeks.
- Once carrots are 4 inches height, thin them to 2 inches apart. Thereafter, thin the carrots regularly to 4 inches apart.
Harvesting Carrots:
- Carrots are ready to harvest within about 75 days.
- If you planted in mid spring, you can start harvesting as early as 50-60 days after planting, depending on how small or big you want your harvest to be.
- For smaller and thinner carrots, harvest earlier.
- For bigger, more mature carrots, leave in longer.
So now that you know how to plant carrots, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting!
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