When to Plant Carrots: Best Month Based on Zone

2024-07-16 10:22| 来源: 网络整理| 查看: 265

When to Sow Carrot Seeds Outside Growing Zone Spring Planting Fall Planting 2a Late April - July 2b Late April - July 3a Late April - July 3b Late April - July 4a April - June 4b April - June 5a Late March - July 5b Late March - July 6a March - July 6b March - July 7a Late January - March Early August - September 7b Late January - March Early August - September 8a February - March August - September 8b February - March August - September 9a January - February October - December 9b January - March September - December 10a January - February October - December 10b January - February October - December How to Plant Carrots

Once you have determined your growing zone, carrot seeds can be sown directly into the garden soil or container. Stagger your planting times so you will have fresh carrots ready to harvest all during the growing season.

Planting Site

The garden soil should be loose and free of stones and debris. Sow the seeds no more than 1/4-inch deep and lightly cover with soil. Water the area with the gentlest stream possible, and keep it constantly moist until the seeds sprout. Germination can take 14-21 days.

Spacing

Because the seeds are tiny, it is almost impossible to space them well. Allow the plants to grow until they are one inch tall. Then, thin them out so they are 2 to 4 inches apart and don't compete for nutrients, moisture, and light. This will give you better, stronger carrots to harvest.

As they mature, the carrots may push up out of the soil. Hill some soil around the top to prevent sunburn that causes green shoulders.

PhotoAlto/ Laurence Mouton / Getty Images

Growing Carrots in Containers

Carrot seeds can be directly sown into containers by using potting soil for potted vegetables. The container should be at least 12 to 24 inches in diameter, and at least 12 inches deep.

Be sure that it has multiple drainage holes because container-grown carrots require more water than garden-grown but won't thrive in mushy soil.

Carefully sow a few seeds on top of the soil and cover lightly. Be sure to thin out the excess plants if they are crowded.

Select shorter finger-sized (two to three inches) or small round carrots, like 'Paris Market'. These will mature more quickly and grow straight and true in a container. Ideal cultivars include:

'Atlas': Small spherical roots 1-2 in long; good for containers'Little Finger': Nantes type with 4 in long roots; small and sweet overhead shot of white person's hand pulling tiny carrot plants growing in bucket of soil on beige tile floor

overhead shot of white person's hand pulling tiny carrot plants growing in bucket of soil on beige tile floor

Dorling Kindersley/ Gary Ombler /Getty Images

When to Harvest Carrots

The variety of carrots you plant will determine when it is the best time to harvest your crop. Most carrots are mature in about 50 to 75 days from seed. Follow the guidelines on your seed packet.

Carrots can withstand the first light frost—and it may even help them taste sweeter—however, the carrots should be harvested before a hard frost.

Carrots should be allowed to mature fully to achieve their full flavor and sweetness. If your soil is loose, you can use your fingers to test the size of the root to see if it is the diameter expected at maturity. When ready to harvest, give the top of the root a slight twist and pull it from the soil. Remove the carrot tops immediately for the best-tasting carrot roots.

Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images

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