How to Plant Carrot Seeds: Ideas For Growing Carrot

Do you like carrots? They are crunchy, sweet and super healthy! Imagine being able to grow carrots at home. It’s easier than you think! In this guide, we will learn how to plant carrot seeds, care for them and grow carrots from carrot leaves.

Family: Apiaceae

Binomial name: Daucus carota

Life cycle: Biennial (but usually grown as an annual)

We’ll also talk about growing carrots in pots, containers and indoors. Let’s begin our carrot-growing adventure!

Where do carrot seeds come from?

Carrot seeds come from the flowers of the carrot plant. After harvesting, a carrot left in the ground will produce flowers the following year. These flowers produce seeds you can collect and replant to grow more carrots!

What you need to plant carrot seeds

Before we begin, let’s gather everything we need:

Carrot seeds: You can buy them at garden stores or online.

Soft Garden Soil: Carrots grow best in loose, soft soil.

A sunny location: Carrots love the sun, so choose a spot with lots of sunlight.

Flowerbeds, large pots or containers: You can plant carrots in pots or containers.

Watering Can: Carrot seeds need water to grow.

Ruler: This is to help you measure the space between seeds.

Gardening Gloves: To keep hands clean.

How to Grow Carrot Seeds

Carrot plants may need water during the growing season. Water when the soil is dry about 5 cm below the surface (check this by scraping some soil with your finger). Water deeply in the morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of the plant to avoid fungal diseases.

To give the plants room to grow, thin out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle.

Remove weak or small seedlings so the plants are about 3-8 cm apart. If the soil is well prepared, additional fertilisers will not be needed. Fertilization can cause excessive leaf growth at the expense of root formation.

Prepare the Soil

Carrots need soft, loose soil to grow straight and tall. Here we tell you how to prepare the soil:

Choose the right location

Choose an area in your garden with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. If you are planting in a pot or container, ensure it is large enough for the carrots to grow.

Dig the soil

Use a shovel or garden fork to dig at least 30 cm deep. This helps the carrot roots grow longer and straighter.

Removing stones and clods

Carrots do not like hard soil. Remove any rocks or large clods of soil to soften it.

Add compost

Mix a little compost into the soil. Fertilizer is like food for plants. Helps carrots grow strong and healthy.

Plant carrot seeds

Now that the soil is ready, it’s time to plant the carrot seeds. Here we explain how:

Draw rows on the ground

Use your finger or a stick to draw rows on the ground. Rows should be about 1/4 inch deep and 12 inches apart.

Spread the seeds

Gently spread the carrot seeds across the rows. Keep a distance of about 2 inches between them.

Cover the seeds

Cover the seeds lightly with a thin layer of soil. Carrot seeds need light to germinate, so don’t bury them too deeply.

Water the seeds

Use your watering can to gently water the soil where you planted the seeds. Keep the soil moist but not too wet.

Care for carrot seeds

After planting the seeds, taking good care of them is important. Here we explain how:

Regular Water

Carrots need water, but not too much. Keep the soil moist, especially on hot days.

Thin out the seedlings

When the carrot plants are about 2 inches tall, you should thin them out. This means removing some plants to make room for others to grow. Leave about 3 inches of space between each plant.

Keep weeds away

Weeds are unwanted plants that rob carrots of water and nutrients. Pull out any weeds growing near the carrot plant.

Watch out for insects

Sometimes, insects like to eat carrot leaves. Keep an eye out for pests and remove them if you see them.

How to Sow Carrot Seeds

Carrot seeds do not require pre-sowing treatment.

• Carrot seeds do best when sow directly in the garden.

• Sow seeds directly in the garden 5 mm deep and 3-8 cm apart, rows 25-30 cm apart.

• Keep the soil moist but never soggy or dry.

• Seeds should germinate in about 14 to 21 days at a soil temperature of 10 to 30 degrees Celsius.

• Young seedlings will need protection from pests, pets and weather until established.

How to Germinate Carrot Seeds Fast

If you want to germinate carrot seeds quickly, try this trick:

Soak seeds: Soak carrot seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting. It softens the seed coat and helps them germinate faster.

Cover with plastic wrap: Cover the soil with clean plastic wrap after planting the seeds. This keeps the soil warm and moist, which helps the seeds germinate faster. Remove the plastic wrap as soon as you see sprouts.

How to grow carrots from carrot leaves

Did you know that you can grow carrots from carrot leaves? It’s a fun experiment, and here we’ll tell you how you can do it:

Cut off the top of the carrot: Take a carrot and cut it off about 1 inch above the leaves.

Place in water: Place the top of the carrot cut side down in the water in a shallow dish. Place the plate in a sunny spot.

Change the water: Change the water daily to keep it fresh.

Watch it grow: After a few days, you’ll see just a little of what’s growing from the top. After a week, you can plant the carrot tops in the ground. It will grow into a new carrot plant!

How to Grow Carrots Indoors

You can grow carrots indoors if you don’t have a garden or it’s too cold outside. Here we show you how to do it:

Choose a pot or container: Choose a pot at least 30 cm deep.

Fill with soil: Fill the pot with soft, loose soil. Make sure there are no stones or hard clods.

Plant the seeds: Plant carrot seeds in rows like a garden. Cover them lightly with soil and water.

Place them near a window: Carrots need sunlight, so place the container near a sunny window.

Water regularly: Keep the soil moist but not too wet.

How to plant carrot seeds in pots and containers

Can you grow carrots in pots and containers? This is a great way to grow carrots if you need a large garden. Here we explain how to do it:

Choose the right pot or container: Choose a pot or container 30 cm deep. Carrot roots need room to grow!

Fill the pot or container with soft, loose soil. Make sure there are no stones or hard lumps.

Plant the seeds: Follow the same steps for planting in the garden. Make short rows, scatter the seeds and cover gently with soil and water.

Place in a sunny location: Place the pot or container where it receives plenty of sunlight.

Water regularly: Keep the soil moist but not too wet. Carrots need water to grow, but too much can cause the seeds to rot.

How long does it take to grow carrots?

Carrots take a while to grow but are worth the wait! How long you have to wait:

Germination: Carrot seeds take 2-3 weeks to germinate.

Growing: Carrots usually take 2 to 4 months to reach their full size, depending on the variety.

Harvesting: You’ll know your carrots are ready to harvest when they’re the size of your thumb.

How to grow carrots without seeds

Did you know that you can grow carrots without seeds? We have already talked about increasing carrots from carrot leaves, but differently:

Use carrot scraps: When you peel carrots, save the scraps.

Plant leftovers: Bury carrot leftovers into the soil. Water them regularly.

Watch them grow – hopefully, the carrot scraps will grow new roots and leaves. This may take a while, so be patient!

Tips for growing the best carrots

To grow the best and tastiest carrots, here are some additional tips:

Plant in cool weather: Carrots grow best in cool weather. Try planting them in early spring or late summer.

Use loose soil: Always ensure the soil is loose and stone-free. This helps the carrot to grow straight and long.

Water evenly: Carrots need constant moisture. Carrots may become complex and less sweet if the soil becomes too dry.

Be patient: Carrots take time to grow. Be patient and continue to take care of them. Before you know it, you’ll have a ton of delicious carrots!

Common problems when growing carrots

Carrots are susceptible to pests, diseases, and other problems like all plants. Below is a list of the most common issues gardeners encounter when growing carrot plants:

white fish

The whitefly is a sap-sucking insect related to aphids. They are often found in abundance on the undersides of leaves and aggregate into clouds when disturbed. Plant leaves may turn yellow or dry, and growth will slow.

Whiteflies can be eliminated by spraying with a garden hose or soapy spray. Severely infested plants must be destroyed. Attracting beneficial insects that prey on whiteflies can be helpful. Read more about how to control whiteflies here.

Carrot fly

The carrot fly (Psila rosa) is an insect that lays eggs on seedlings. When the larvae hatch, they live in the soil and burrow into the roots to feed. Include companion plants in your garden or use insect exclusion netting on your crops to deter pests.

Forked roots

Forked roots are usually caused by rocky or heavy soils such as clay. The roots cannot grow freely in the soil or split in two due to collision with rocks or other obstacles.

Till the soil well before planting, dig in some coarse sand or compost to lighten the soil, or grow round or short varieties suitable for heavy soils.

Split roots

Split roots are usually caused by inconsistent watering as the roots mature. Water deeply and evenly to maintain soil moisture, and always consider recent or expected rain before watering.

Stiff roots

Stiff roots usually indicate that the roots were cut too late. Harvest when the roots are small and tender.

small root

Short roots can result from too dense planting or overfertilizing. Thin the seedlings to give enough room for root growth. Do not fertilize plants, as this can encourage leaf growth at the expense of roots.

Fun facts about carrots

Different colours: Carrots come in many colours, such as orange, purple, yellow, red and white. Orange is the most common, but all colours taste delicious!

Healthy vegetables: Carrots are packed with vitamins, especially vitamin A, which is excellent for the eyes.

Ancient Vegetables: Carrots have been around for thousands of years. People have been eating them for a long time!

FAQ

What is the best way to plant carrot seeds?

Plant carrot seeds 3 to 4 inches apart in rows about a foot apart, seed 1/4 inch deep. Carrots can be planted three to five weeks before the last frost date in the spring.

Should I soak carrot seeds before planting?

There is no reason to soak carrot seeds in water before planting.

Can I plant carrot seeds directly in the soil?

Because they have taproots, carrots hate transplanting. Therefore, carrot seeds should be sown directly in the garden.

How long does it take to grow carrots from seed?

Carrots can be planted as soon as the soil reaches 40°F in mid-April, although they will germinate more quickly in warmer soil (Figure 2). Days to harvest: 55-80 days, depending on variety.

How many carrot seeds per hole?

Try your best to grab a seed or two if it creeps you out. Place a carrot seed in each hole.

Do carrot seeds need sun?

Although carrots tolerate some shade, they will be sweet and crisp in full sun.

Do carrot seeds need water?

Water well. Carrot seeds have a hard coat that must be softened for good germination. After planting, keeping the top inch of soil continuously moist for 7 to 14 days or until seedlings emerge is essential.

How fast do carrot seeds germinate?

Sow the seeds in moist soil, not too wet or too dry.