Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers, carrots are a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing carrots.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height/Depth | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Do Carrots Belong To?
Carrots (Daucus carota, subsp. sativus) belong to the Apiaceae family, also known as the carrot family.
Some of their relatives include parsley, fennel, and celery.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Carrots?
The minimum container depth recommended for carrots is 12 inches for most varieties and 6 inches for round or "mini" varieties.
See the soil section of this article for potting soil considerations.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Carrots?
Some of carrots' best companions are as follows:
- Chives
- Purslane
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Radish
- Onion
- Leek
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Beans like green beans
- Peppers like bell pepper and jalapeño
- Amaranth
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Carrots?
Carrots are not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with carrots are as follows:
You'll notice that many of these are fellow Apiaceae family members. This is because members of this family compete for the same nutrients, so planting two types near each other can result in neither plant getting enough of those nutrients.
Additionally, some members of the Apiaceae family tend to cross-pollinate, which can ruin the flavor and quality of both plants. This is another reason not to plant them near each other.
What Soil Conditions Do Carrots Need?
Carrots prefer loose, sandy, well-draining soil. They tend to thrive in areas within 5-50 miles of a beach, especially an ocean beach.
This can present a challenge to container gardeners since most potting soil is dense and becomes compacted easily, which is the opposite of what carrots need. You can try packing your potting soil very loosely, but it may still become compacted when you water it.
A better course of action is to mix lightweight compost, perlite, and/or peat moss in with your potting soil.
How Long Do Carrots Take to Germinate?
Carrots take 1-3 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 40-80°F.
How Much Sun Do Carrots Need?
Carrots need 6-8 hours of sun per day.
Afternoon shade is recommended if temperatures are regularly above 75°F.
How Much Water Do Carrots Need?
Carrots need 1 inch of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Carrots?
Carrots grow fastest in temperatures of 55-75°F.
This is their ideal temperature range. Although they will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some carrot varieties are bred for fall harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall and Deep Do Carrots Get?
The average height of carrot tops is 4-6 inches.
The average depth of carrot roots is 2-12 inches. Round and "mini" varieties will be on the lower end of that range, while many common varieties are in the middle to upper end of the range.
Are Carrots Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Carrots are technically biennial, meaning that their life cycle spans 2 years, and they flower, produce seed, and die in autumn of their second year.
However, carrots are typically grown as annual vegetables, meaning that they start and end their lives in the same year. This is because by the second year, the root is very bitter and unpleasant in taste.
If you save your own seeds, let a few plants overwinter and harvest the seeds the following autumn. However, eating the roots is not recommended at that point.
How Do Carrots Reproduce?
Carrots reproduce by seed.
In autumn of their second year, their tops produce flowers. Those flowers then produce seeds.
How Many Carrots Are Produced Per Plant?
Carrots produce 1 root per plant.
Can Carrots Be Ingested?
Carrot roots are edible.
Carrot tops, also called carrot leaves, the leafy parts above the ground, are also edible.
Both roots and tops are highly nutritive, meaning that they are rich in vitamins and minerals. Although their herbal properties have not been extensively studied, both parts can be used in tea. The tops are better suited for an infusion, while the roots are better suited for a decoction or broth.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting carrot roots or tops.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of carrots rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for carrots here!
Carrots are featured in these Plant to Plate articles:
- Simple Uses for Carrots
- Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden
- Gardening in Full Sun
- How Temperature Affects Plant Health