How To Grow, Harvest and Store Carrots

Carrots grow well in zones 6 to 11. Find your Zone by entering your zip code at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map here. In my garden (zone 10) the carrots are ready every July. Here are my tips for a delicious and beautiful carrot harvest.

Tips for Growing Carrots

1. Plant carrots suited for your soil - Big carrot varieties do well in loose sandy soils while heavy soils are better suited for small carrots.
2. Sow your carrot seeds in March through June - Plant more seeds every 3 weeks to enjoy multiple harvests from summer through fall.
3. Sow directly in the ground - Transplanting often results in misshapen carrots. Carrot seedlings are so thin it’s almost impossible to successfully transplant; not to mention time consuming.
4. Work your soil before sowing your carrot seeds - Plant in loose soil that is free of clumps and rocks. Tight soil will keep carrots from growing and will misshape them as will any rocks.
5. Plant in full sun - Choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sun a day.
6. Practice companion planting to improve flavor and deter pests: Beans, cilantro, chives, dill, leeks, lettuce, marigolds onions, parsley, rosemary, and sage. Marigolds protect the roots from nematodes and alliums such as onions deter pests such as the dreaded carrot fly.
7. Space carrot seeds properly - Plant 1/4” deep, 4” apart, in rows 12” apart.
8. Water 1” once a week - Carrots are roots which require moist soil to grow beautifully and successfully.
9. Practice crop rotation - Plant in a new spot each year to increase your harvest and allow your carrots to thrive by avoiding pests such as carrot fly and ensure the soil is free of diseases and pests such as nematodes.
10. Allow some carrots to go to seed - Overtime saving seeds, will allow you to create and grow carrots that are adapted to your garden’s unique eco-system for better and better results each year.

How to Harvest Carrots

Carrots are first ready for harvest in the summer and can be harvested all through winter if you planted a new crop in summer. 

• Carrots are ready for harvest when their tops peek out of the ground. I begin harvesting my carrots every July, here in zone 10. 

• Wait to harvest until carrot-tops are at least 1/2” in diameter, or 3” long;

• In summer, harvest before it gets too hot, or you will end up with fuzzy (fibrous) carrots.

• In winter, harvest carrots after a frost for better flavor.

How to Store Fresh Carrots

Carrots can last 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.

• Scrub dirt off carrots;

• Rinse;

• Air dry;

• Place in ziplock bag;

• Refrigerate.

My favorite seeds are from Renees Garden Seeds.