Carrots are a great addition to any garden. As a cool-weather crop, they are one of the earliest vegetables you can plant. If you are wanting to add carrots this season, this page will guide you on the how to grow the best carrots. If you are looking for information on how to harvest or store your carrots, check out How to Harvest and Store Carrots.

You don't have to be a rabbit to enjoy growing carrots. Carrots are excellent sources of beta-carotene, which our bodies turn into Vitamin A. Carrots can be grown in almost any garden with just a little bit of work.

• Although there are hundreds of varieties of carrots, but they typically fall into one of four main categories based on size and shape: Imperator, Nantes, Danvers and Chantenay.North Dakota State University: Carrots Most carrots are orange, but yellow, red and purple varieties are also available.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden

• Imperator carrots are 9 to 10 inches long, have a tapered tip and a deep orange cortex with lighter orange center.North Dakota State University: Carrots Milwaukee County UW-Extension: Carrot
  1. They are used primarily for fresh pack.Milwaukee County UW-Extension: Carrot
  2. Good varieties to plant include: Avenger, Gold Pak, Imperator 58, Legend, Orlando Gold, Tendersweet Apache, Navajo, Blaze, Six Pak II and Choctaw.University of Illinois Extension: Carrot University of Minnesota Extension: Carrots (Vegetable Crop Management)

• Danvers carrots are about seven inches long with orange flesh that is usually tinged with green.
  1. They are usually used for dicing, slicing and processing into baby food.North Dakota State University: Carrots Milwaukee County UW-Extension: Carrot
  2. They require a long season (120 days) to develop a high sugar content.North Dakota State University: Carrots
  3. Also called the "half long" carrot.University of Minnesota Extension: Carrots (Vegetable Crop Management)
  4. Good varieties to plant include: Danvers Half Long, Danvers 126, Bolero, Eagle and Goliath.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden University of Illinois Extension: Carrot University of Minnesota Extension: Carrots (Vegetable Crop Management)

• Nantes carrots are about 6 inches long with a uniform diameter.North Dakota State University: Carrots They are short and cylindrical with a blunt round base and a bright orange color.Milwaukee County UW-Extension: Carrot
  1. Nantes carrots have a sweet flavor, crisp texture and are good for eating.Milwaukee County UW-Extension: Carrot
  2. They are used for bunching, slicing and mini carrots.North Dakota State University: Carrots
  3. They mature earlier than Imperator carrots.North Dakota State University: Carrots
  4. Baby Nantes cultivars are only about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter and 2-1/2 to 3 inches long.Milwaukee County UW-Extension: Carrot
  5. Nantes are most commonly used in home gardens or grown for farmers markets and roadside stands.University of Minnesota Extension: Carrots (Vegetable Crop Management)
  6. Good varieties to plant include: Nantes Half Long, Scarlet Nantes, Nelson Bolero, Ingot, Nantes Coreless, Sweetness, Touchon, Protoge, Presto, Nanco, Nassau and Primo.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden University of Illinois Extension: Carrot University of Minnesota Extension: Carrots (Vegetable Crop Management)

• Chantenay carrots are only five inches long with large shoulders.North Dakota State University: Carrots They vary in color from medium to light orange and have a large distinctly colored core.Milwaukee County UW-Extension: Carrot North Dakota State University: Carrots
  1. They are known for being tender and crisp.Milwaukee County UW-Extension: Carrot
  2. They are used primarily in home gardens are rarely for processing.North Dakota State University: Carrots
  3. Good varieties to plant include: Red-Cored Chantenay, Royal Chantenay, Gold King, Convert and Condor.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden University of Minnesota Extension: Carrots (Vegetable Crop Management)

• Other varieties of carrots that do not fit into the above categories also exist. These varieties are usually listed as novelty or baby carrots. Some examples of these carrots include:
  1. Baby Spike: 3 to 4 inches long, 1/2 inch thick, good orange color and tender.University of Illinois Extension: Carrot
  2. Belgium White: A long tapered carrot with a white root and a mild flavor.University of Illinois Extension: Carrot
  3. Dragon: 6 to 8 inches long, reddish purple on the outside, but yellowish orange inside.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
  4. Little Finger: 3 to 5 inches long, 1/2 inch wide, good for container gardens and heavy soils, high sugar content, sweet and crisp, deep orange colorOhio State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden University of Illinois Extension: Carrot Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
  5. Minicor: Slender baby carrots with a good flavor.University of Illinois Extension: Carrot
  6. Orbit: Small and round with good color. University of Illinois Extension: Carrot
  7. Short'n Sweet: 4 inches long baby carrot; rich, sweet flavor; good for heavy or poor soil.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden University of Illinois Extension: Carrot
  8. Thumbelina: 1 inch round root, good for planting in containers and heavy, shallow or rocky soil.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden University of Illinois Extension: Carrot
  9. Yellowstone: 8 to 10 inches long with a yellow color.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden

• Carrots are a cool season biennial that grow best when they are planted in the early spring.University of Illinois Extension: Carrot

1. They can be sown once soils reach 40°F but germinate best when the soil is between 55 to 70°F.Ohio State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
2. You need to plant them early enough in the spring that they can before the weather is cool, usually about two to three weeks before the last frost.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
3. Carrots take between 70 to 100 days to mature.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
4. Temperatures above 75°F can reduce growth, decrease quality, reduce seed germination and cause bitter or off-flavors of carrots.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004

• Carrots should be planted in a sunny area, but will tolerate some shade. They need deep, loose, fertile and well-drained soil.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004

1. Sandy soils rich in organic matter are best.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
2. Amend heavy soils with compost.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
   1. Heavy soils can cause considerable leaf growth and forked roots.Ohio State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
   2. Carrots mature slower in heavy soils and can cause roots to become rough.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots
3. Remove stones, trash and other materials from the soil before planting or avoid these areas altogether.Ohio State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
4. Carrots grow will in acidic soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8.Ohio State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
5. Raised beds are an ideal location to grow carrots.Ohio State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden

• Carrots are always grown from seed. Rows should be at least 12 to 18 inches apart.University of Illinois Extension: Carrot

1. Spade the soil about 8 to 12 inches.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots
2. Incorporate at least four inches of organic matter and apply either 16-16-8 or 10-10-10 all-purpose fertilizer (approximately 2 to 4 cups per 100 square feet) into the top 4 to 8 inches of soil.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
3. Carrots can either be planted on mounds about 2 to 3 inches high or on the soil surface and covered with soil.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
   1. Carrots should be planted about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
   2. If the soil is dry, plant carrots deeper, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep.
4. Add a few radish seeds when planting. Radishes sprout quickly and will help you identify where the row is and help minimize crusting problems.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
5. Thin carrots so they are 1 inch apart when the tops are 1 inch high.University of Illinois Extension: Carrot Then, thin again have about three or four true leaves so they are about 2 to 4 inches apart.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004

• Like any other crop, carrots need water, weed control and fertilization.

1. For best results, carrots need consistent, even moisture or about about one inch of water a week throughout the growing season.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
   1. Inadequate moisture can cause small, poorly-flavored carrots.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
   2. Avoid over-watering because it can cause the roots to crack.Ohio State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden It can also cause hairy roots and forking.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
   3. Moisture fluctuations can cause root disorders, slow leaf development and bitterness.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
2. Weeds should be controlled by frequent, shallow hoeing.University of Illinois Extension: Carrot
   1. Weeds steal nutrients and moisture from the carrots and can reduce yields.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots
   2. Hand pull any weeds that are close to the carrots.Iowa State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
3. Fertilize the carrots when they are about 4 inches high or about 6 weeks after they have emerged.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
   1. Apply between 1/4 to 1 cup of nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0 or 34-0-0) per 10 foot row.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
   2. Place the fertilizer to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004
   3. Carrots can be fertilized a second time when the tops are about 6 to 8 inches high if they become pale.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots
4. Cover any orange crowns that emerge above the soil level with soil to prevent them from turning green.Ohio State University: Growing Carrots in the Home Garden
5. Prevent crusting by scratching the soil lightly around the carrots.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots

• Here are some of the most common insects that attack carrots, and ways to combat infestations.

1. Aphid varieties which are known to attack carrots:UC IPM: Carrot Pest Management Guidelines
   1. Bean
   2. Crown and root
   3. Cotton/melon
   4. Green peach
   5. Honeysuckle
   6. Willow carrotUC IPM: Carrot Pest Management Guidelines
2. They can be controlled with the following substances:Ohio State University: Carrots and Parsnips
   1. Diazinon
   2. Endosulfan (Thionex)
   3. Imidacloprid (Admire or Provado)
   4. Malathion
   5. Thiamethoxam (Actara, Platinum).Ohio State University: Carrots and Parsnips

1. Leafhoppers are yellow to green in color with black spots on their head, and are prone to carrying disease.Carrot Gardening Tips: Carrot Pests and Diseases
2. Common varieties of leafhoppers which attack carrot plants include the aster leafhopper and six-spotted leafhopper.Carrot Gardening Tips: Carrot Pests and Diseases
3. They can be controlled with the following substances:Ohio State University: Carrots and Parsnips
   1. Carbaryl (Sevin)
   2. Cyfluthrin (Baythroid)
   3. Deltamethrin (Decis)
   4. Endosulfan (Thionex)
   5. Esfenvalerate (Asana)
   6. Imidacloprid (Admire or Provado)
   7. Malathion
   8. Methomyl (Lannate)
   9. Methoxyfenozide (Intrepid)
   10. Thiamethoxam (Actara, Platinum)
   11. Zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang)

1. Carrot weevils are gray or brown insects which grow to about 5 millimeters in length. They feed on the leaves of carrot plants. #They can be controlled with the following substances:Ohio State University: Carrots and Parsnips
   1. Cyfluthrin (Baythroid)
   2. Esfenvalerate (Asana)
   3. Oxamyl (Vydate)].Ohio State University: Carrots and Parsnips

1. Carrot Rust Flies are small white maggots which feed on the roots.

2. They can be controlled with diazinon.Ohio State University: Carrots and Parsnips

3. Rotating crops, as well as deep plowing in the fall and spring seasons, can also help reduce populations.Virginia Tech Insect Identification Laboratory: Carrot Rust Fly

1. Wireworms are the larval stage of black click beetles.Carrot Gardening Tips: Carrot Pests and Diseases

2. They grow up to 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long and are yellowish white in color.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots

3. They can be controlled with diazinon.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots

1. Cutworms are dull gray, brown or black in color], striped or spotted with smooth bodies and grow up to 1-1/4 inches long.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots

2. They can be controlled with diazinon.AgriLife Extension: Easy Gardening: Carrots

• Carrots are troubled by a variety of fungi. They are best controlled by crop rotation and soil solarization.Utah State University: Carrots in the Garden November 2004 You may also choose to treat your carrots with a fungicide.North Dakota State University: Carrots Some of the more common fungi that attack carrots include:

• Alternaria leaf blightUC IPM: Alternaria Leaf Blight

• Black rot (black crown)UC IPM: Black Rot (Black Crown)

• Black root rotTexas Plant Disease Index: Black Root Rot

• Cavity spotUC IPM: Cavity Spot

• Cercospora leaf blightUC IPM: Cercospora Leaf Blight

• Cottony or Cotton soft rotUC IPM: Cottony Soft Rot Texas Plant Disease Index: Cotton Soft Rot

• Damping offTexas Plant Disease Index: Damping Off

• Leaf spotTexas Plant Disease Index: Leaf Spot

• Powdery mildewUC IPM: Powdery Mildew

• Root diebackUC IPM: Root Dieback

• Southern blightUC IPM: Southern Blight

• Carrots can be harvested at almost anytime of their development.University of Illinois Extension: Carrot It is important that carrots are harvested carefully to avoid damaging them, which will reduce their shelf life.North Dakota State University: Carrots Carrots should then be stored in an cool area with plenty of humidity (between 95 to 99 percent).University of Minnesota Extension: Carrots (Vegetable Crop Management)

• • For more information on harvesting and storing, check out Mahalo's page on How to Harvest and Store Carrots.

• Introduction
• Step 1: Choose a Variety
• Step 2: When to Plant
• Step 3: Where to Plant
• Step 4: How to Plant Carrots
• Step 5: Caring for Carrots
• Step 6: Dealing with Pests
• Step 7: Dealing with Diseases
• Step 8: Harvesting and Storing
• References