How to Grow Carrots: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Direct-sow carrots when soil reaches at least 45 degrees F in spring, or 10 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost (UMD). Cover seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep and thin to about 1 to 2 inches apart (UMD) or about 2 to 4 inches (UMN). Keep moisture steady; ease up near harvest so roots do not crack.

Freshly harvested carrots with greens from a home garden
Harvested carrots — Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 · source · license

Carrots at a glance

PlantDirect sow: 2 wk before last frost to last frost; Fall sow: 12–10 wk before last frost
SunUMD: “Full sun requires direct light at least 6 hours/day; prefers 8 - 10 hours/day.”
WaterUMD says “Requires plentiful moisture.”
SpacingUMD: “Cover seed with ¼ to ½ inch of soil and keep seedbed evenly moist.”
Days to harvest60-70
-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Planting

UMN: “Always plant seeds directly into your garden. Never start them in pots.” (UMN Extension) UMD: “Plant when the soil temperature has reached at least 45°F.” “Carrots are best planted in the spring and fall. They do not grow well during hot weather.” For fall, “For a fall crop, plant 10 – 12 weeks before the first frost.” (UMD Extension) Succession: “For a continuous supply of young carrots, make two or three plantings spaced three weeks apart.” Germination can take “as long as three weeks” (UMN).

Depth and spacing

UMD: “Cover seed with ¼ to ½ inch of soil and keep seedbed evenly moist.” Thin in wide rows “to 1 to 2 inches apart”, or “Thin to 1 - 4 inches apart when plants are about 2 inches tall. Cut seedlings rather than pulling them out, to avoid root disturbance.” UMN thins so plants are “about two to four inches apart” when seedlings are three to four inches tall. The sources differ, so we show each.

Sun, soil and water

UMD: “Full sun requires direct light at least 6 hours/day; prefers 8 - 10 hours/day.” Soil should be deep, loose and free of rocks. UMN prefers light sandy loam and a pH “between 6 and 7”. Water: UMD says “Requires plentiful moisture.” “In dry weather, water lightly each day until plants are established. Ease up on watering near time of harvest, as excessive moisture may cause roots to crack. Uniform soil moisture is critical to producing sweet, crisp, carrots.” UMN: about “an inch of rain each week”; without enough water, “Roots may be bitter, tough, fibrous, misshapen and undersized”.

Care

UMD: light to medium nutrient need; incorporate amendments before planting. UMN: excess nitrogen favors tops over roots, and do not use fertilizer that contains a weed killer. Mulch to control weeds; hill soil over root shoulders to prevent green shoulders (UMD; UMN).

Harvest and storage

UMD days to maturity “65 - 75 from seed”; Clemson planning sheet gives 60-70 (Clemson HGIC). Harvest before roots exceed about 1 inch diameter; pull largest first. Storage: topped carrots up to 4 to 5 months at 32°F and 90%-95% RH (UMD). UMN: loosen with a fork before pulling and remove greens before storage.

Pests and diseases (organic)

Carrot rust fly: larvae make surface tunnels filled with rusty mush; no aboveground symptoms (UC IPM). Cultural: time plantings to avoid peak egg-laying, cover seedbeds with row cover, harvest promptly in blocks, and do not store carrots in the ground through winter where the fly is a problem.

Aphids: strong water spray; insecticidal soap or oil with thorough coverage; follow the label; not on water-stressed plants or above 90°F (UC IPM aphids).

Disorders: forked or split roots from rocky, heavy or compacted soil or drought; crowded plants make tops without roots; aster yellows (leafhopper-spread) causes hairy, bitter roots and yellow tops (UMN). Cultural: loose rock-free soil, even moisture, adequate thinning, rotate when possible (UC IPM carrot).

Related: organic pest control · ZIP planner · parsnips

Frequently asked questions

When do I plant carrots for fall?

UMD Extension: plant 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost.

How far apart should carrots be?

Thin to about 1 to 2 inches (UMD wide-row) or about 2 to 4 inches (UMN). UMD also allows 1 to 4 inches in its thinning paragraph. Cut thinnings rather than yanking.

Why are my carrots forked or hairy?

Forking: rocky, heavy or compacted soil or drought (UMN). Hairy bitter roots with yellow tops: aster yellows (UMN).

How do I stop carrot rust fly organically?

Row cover on seedbeds, plant outside peak egg-laying windows for your climate, harvest promptly, and do not overwinter roots in the ground where the pest occurs (UC IPM).

More grow guides: Strawberries · Shallots · Raspberries · Spinach · Sweet Corn · Beets · Dill · Bok Choy · Brussels Sprouts · Collards · All grow guides

Sources