Carrot

Carrots need deep, loose, stone-free soil around pH 6.0-6.8 to form straight roots. Work in finished compost rather than fresh manure, avoid excess nitrogen, and keep the seedbed moist through their slow germination.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Even moisture

Spacing

3 in

First harvest

60–80 days

Tips

• Direct sow 1/4 inch deep and keep the surface moist until seedlings emerge, which can take up to three weeks.
• Thin seedlings to 2-3 inches apart by snipping extras at soil level.
• Water deeply and evenly, supplying about 1 inch weekly to prevent tough or split roots.
• Keep root shoulders covered with soil to prevent greening and watch for root maggot tunneling at harvest.
• Pull a sample when shoulders approach the variety's stated size, loosening soil first to avoid snapped roots.

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