Carrot
Daucus carota · Apiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant carrot: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, highly divided and feathery
- Flowering
- Summer (June to August), small white or pink flowers in umbels
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 cm in height
- Growth
- Rapid (4 to 6 months until harvest)
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, tolerates down to -15°C
- Origin
- Central Asia (wild ancestors), domesticated in Persia
- Soil type
- Loose, deep, well-drained, slightly acidic
Care
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination and root formation. Water deeply 2 to 3 times per week without allowing water to stagnate. Reduce watering toward the end of growth to concentrate sugars.
Exposure
Plant in full sun (minimum 6 hours daily) for optimal growth. Slightly shaded exposure in very hot climates may work, but risks slowing development.
Soil Preparation
Prepare deep, loose soil worked to at least 30 cm depth to prevent root forking. Remove stones and clods that hinder root elongation. Enrich lightly with well-decomposed compost, without excess nitrogen.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer before sowing or transplanting. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which favors foliage at the expense of roots. Good potassium levels help improve flavor.
Harvest
Harvest when roots reach 2 to 3 cm in diameter, typically 60 to 80 days after sowing. Gently pull on the foliage or lift with a fork to avoid breaking roots. Carrots can remain in the ground over winter under mulch.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for carrot fly (larvae in roots): use protective fleece or rotate crops. Mildew can appear in humid conditions: improve air circulation. Soil nematodes can be limited by crop rotation.
Did you know?
Wild carrots (Daucus carota) have white or purple roots, not orange! It wasn't until the 17th century in Holland that orange carrots were selected, likely to honor the House of Orange-Nassau. Before then, cultivated carrots ranged from yellow, red, and white.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.