Lawn Guardian

When to Plant Carrot

Daucus carota

root_vegetableZones 3–10intermediate

Sweet, crunchy root available in orange, purple, yellow, and white varieties. Direct sow only -- does not transplant well. Loose, deep soil is the key to straight roots.

Planting calendar

Seeds are tiny and slow to germinate (2-3 weeks); keep soil moist until emergence; thin to 2-3 inches

Spacing & harvest

• Plant spacing: 2-3 inches
• Row spacing: 12-18 inches
• Days to harvest: 60-80 days
• Ready when: Tops of roots visible at soil surface are 3/4 to 1 inch diameter; pull one test root to check length and color

Companion planting

Plant near

• Onion — Onions repel carrot flies, carrots repel onion flies
• Tomato — Loosens soil around tomato roots
• Bell Pepper — Does not compete and loosens soil
• Hot Pepper — Loosens soil without competing
• Lettuce (Butterhead) — Lettuce provides shade keeping carrots cool
• Romaine Lettuce — Lettuce shades soil keeping carrots cool
• Arugula — Quick-maturing arugula clears space for carrots
• Rosemary — Repels carrot fly with strong scent
• Sage — Repels carrot fly

Keep away from

• Dill — Same family -- can cross-pollinate and attracts same pests