There’s nothing more satisfying than picking vegetables out of the garden and popping them straight into tonight’s dinner. Carrots are high in fibre, vitamin K, vitamin A, potassium and antioxidants, making them one of the best veggies to grow at home. There are a few things you can do to grow carrots in your backyard and have them rival the supermarket bought ones. It all comes down to a few key elements, nail them and you’ll grow carrots that your friends and neighbours will be begging to get their hands on. Check out our top tips below.
Sun
Carrots love soaking up the sun. When picking the perfect spot to plant yours, find somewhere that gets lots of full sun.
Planting tip – Plant your carrots in the afternoon into sun-warmed soil rather than cold, damp soil. Your carrots will thank you for tucking them into a nice warm bed.
Soil
Well prepared soil will give your carrots the perfect start to life. Carrots need free draining and well dug soil to thrive. Their roots need to be able to easily penetrate the soil; a stick or clump of soil will cause carrots to bend and manoeuvre their way around the obstacles leaving you with very strangely shaped carrots – making trying to peel them a struggle.
Space
This is one of the most important elements. Carrots need space to grow! Bunching your seeds will cause your carrots to fight for space leaving them misshapen and at higher risk of contracting disease or rotting. When sowing use a light hand to sprinkle seeds as thinly as possible. If you are wanting to plant rows of carrots, make sure you leave between 40 and 50cm of space between rows.
Sustenance
Like all plants, carrots take nutrients from the soil as they grow, so keeping the soil well watered and well nourished is imperative.
Planting tip – Keep in mind that carrots hate organic matter, so keep them away from compost or manure.
Growing Carrots in Garden Beds
- Add a layer of vegetable mix to the sowing area
- Create a line in the soil approximately 1cm deep, and water well
- Sow the seed as directed on the packet
- Lightly cover with soil
- Press soil gently
- Water lightly and regularly.
Growing Carrots in Containers
- Fill your container with vegetable mix
- Sprinkle carrot seeds lightly
- Add a thin layer of vegetable mix over the top
- Water in.
Planting tip – ensure your container is at least 30cm deep, giving the roots enough space to develop.
Sow batches of carrots in spring, summer and early autumn. Harvest in 50-65 days.
Carrots are Compatible with:
- Onions
- Leeks
- Tomatoes
- Rosemary
- Lettuce
- Sage
- Beans
- Peas
- Radishes
- Celery
Avoid Growing Carrots Close to:
- Parsnips
- Beetroot
- Dill
- Brassicas
- Fennel
