🥕 Carrot: Growing Guide
Carrot (Daucus carota) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 7–24 °C (45–75 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–6.8. Space plants about 8 cm (3.1 in) apart. Expect 70–80 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Daucus carota |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 8 cm (3.1 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–6.8 |
| Comfortable temperature | 7–24 °C (45–75 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 70–80 days |
| Sowing depth | 1 cm (0.4 in) |
| Height | 30–40 cm (12–16 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Sow | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | |||||
| Continental | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Sow | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | |||
| Tropical | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | |||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Sow |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar, Aug–Sep · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Oct–Nov.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar–Apr, Aug · Plant out: May · Harvest: Sep–Oct.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr, Aug · Harvest: Sep–Oct.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Aug–Sep, Dec–Feb · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jan, Jul–Aug · Harvest: Feb–Mar, Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr–May · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Aug–Sep, Dec–Feb · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Deep watering, less often.
Growing tips
Loose, deep soil. Thin the seedlings after germination. Can be left in the ground over winter.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Carrot: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Feb–Mar, Aug–Sep · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Oct–Nov. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar–Apr, Aug · Plant out: May · Harvest: Sep–Oct. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Mar–Apr, Aug · Harvest: Sep–Oct.
Carrot: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Deep watering, less often.
Carrot: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 8 cm (3.1 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 1 cm (0.4 in).
Carrot: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 70–80 days.
Carrot: which plants grow well with it?
Lettuce, Onion, Garlic, Rosemary.
Carrot: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Carrot beetle, Nematodes.
Plan your garden
Add Carrot to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
Open the free planner →