Carrots Planting & Growing Guide

Where to Plant Carrots

Plant in full sun in light-textured, well-draining soil. In areas with heavy clay soil, plant Carrots in raised bed or containers.

When to Plant Carrots

Plant Carrots in early spring when the danger of frost has passed through the fall.

How to Plant Carrots

• Find a location with full sun and well-draining soil. If you notice that water still puddles 5 to 6 hours after a hard rain, it's best to find a different spot or plant in a raised bed or container. Make sure there are no clods or stones for a depth of 12 inches.
• Plant your Carrots as soon as possible after they arrive. If you can’t plant immediately, make sure to give them a drink of water and set them somewhere out of direct sun and wind until you can get them planted.
• Dig a hole the same depth as the nursery container. Remove the plant from the container and set in the hole. Fill the hole with soil and tamp down firmly around the root. Space your Carrots 2-4” apart.
• Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

How to Grow Carrots

• Water at least once a week, more often in warm weather; 1” of water at a time is a good estimate. Uneven watering may cause the roots to split.
• Add a layer of compost to the surrounding soil to improve drainage, reduce evaporation, and keep competing weeds at bay.
• Harvest baby Carrots in as little as 30–40 days. You can start to harvest larger Carrots in 30–40 days but they may take as long as 2–3 months to reach full maturity.

Carrot Tips & Tricks

• Use floating row covers to prevent damage from insect pests such as carrot fly, as well as from rodents.
• Once they’re growing, Carrots can tolerate a light frost but not a hard freeze, so pay attention to the first and last frost dates for your area when planting.
• There’s no need to add fertilizer as long as you mulch with compost. Additional fertilizer will only produce more leafy growth and may cause the roots to be misshapen.