CARROT
A carrot has a large taproot that, once pulled from the soil, leaves behind a long tunnel. These tunnels open up the soil so air and water can percolate into it and nourish the various organisms that build soil health. Growing carrots is one nice way to aerate your soil.
VarietiEs
Orange carrots like Danvers and Nantes are the norm, but you can experiment with a wide range of colors. Try growing Purple Dragon, White Satin, Black Spanish, or Kyoto Red carrots, which have unique flavors as well.
WHERE CARROTS THRIVE
Regional compatibility
Carrots can be grown in any region across North America. They prefer cool weather and, in warmer southern regions, do better if planted in early spring or late fall.
Optimal sOIL & sun
Like most vegetables, carrots prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil (6.5-7.0 range.) Carrots love loose, sandy, well-drained soil. It’s a good idea to loosen your carrot plot with a digging fork or shovel before planting.
Carrots prefer at least six to eight hours of sun a day but grow fine in partial shade; they’ll just mature more slowly. In shady gardens, you’ll have to wait a little longer for your crop.
RESILIENCE
Carrots are relatively drought-tolerant if given plenty of water early on in the growing season. Thirsty roots may crack under too much water stress but will still taste good.
PLANTING
FROM SEED
Carrots have long, tiny seeds that grow best when you plant them directly in the ground, either in neat rows or scattered around the garden.
Best time of year to plant
You can plant carrots any time of the year as long as the soil is warm enough to dig in. Carrots are sweetest after they’ve been hit by a light fall frost.
COMPANION PLANTS
Carrots pair well with beans, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, radish, rosemary, lettuce, onions, peas and leeks. Don’t plant carrots with parsnips - these two are closely related and will compete for available nutrients.
Growing
Carrots grown in dense soil tend to be stunted, twisted, or split. Loose, sandy soil will give you long, straight carrots. The tops of the root that stick out of the soil can get sunburned. You can prevent this by gently pushing soil up around the base of the stem; think of it as sunscreen for your carrots.
WATERING
Water your carrots every day for a week or more after planting and until you see them poking out of the soil. After they germinate give them an inch of water a week, and make sure the water is penetrating deeply to encourage their roots to grow deeply. Too much water may lead to split carrots, but they will still taste delicious.
Weeding
Weed your carrots regularly when they are small to prevent them from getting lost amongst fast growing competitors. Once they are several weeks old their bushy tops will shade out other plants, and consistent weeding will be less critical.
Fertilizing
Carrots appreciate a balanced soil and plenty of potassium. Apply compost before planting your carrots, but avoid giving them too much nitrogen, or you could end up with large tops and small carrots.
CHALLENGES
Good germination can be the toughest thing about growing carrots. One solution is to seed them thickly and then thin the seedlings out when they are 1-2 weeks old. Thin the planting so there is an inch between each seedling.
pests & DISEASE
My early-season crop used to get hit with carrot rust fly almost every year, producing a nearly inedible crop ruined by tunneling baby mag- gots. I now plant carrots later in the season, after the rust flies have gone.
Carrots are susceptible to Astor Yellows, which is a disease spread by leaf hoppers. The leaves will turn yellow and the carrot roots themselves will be covered in many white root hairs sticking out sideways. The carrot will be tasteless and bitter. Luckily, it’s likely that only about 10% of your crop will be affected.
Harvest
Harvest carrots at any time. To get them out of the ground, pull the leafy green tops slowly so as not to separate them from the root. If your soil is loose, the carrot will pop out easily. If it’s dense, you may need a little extra help from a trowel.
STORE
Remove the tops from the carrots and keep in a plastic bag in your refrigerator. Carrots will keep for months like this. In places where the ground does not freeze solid, your carrots can even stay in-ground all winter long.
Preserve
Due to their long-term storage capabilities, carrots don’t need to be preserved the way less-hardy crops do. However, pickled carrots or carrot sauerkraut are both delicious ways to add flavor to your harvest!
RECIPES
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