🥕 Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
vegetables
root vegetable
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6, 8 hours); tolerates light partial shade
💧 Water
Medium; 1 inch per week consistently; inconsistent watering causes splitting and poor flavor; keep soil evenly moist for germination (14, 21 days , slow!)
🗺️ Zones
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
🧪 Soil pH
6.0, 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
🪴 Soil Type
Deep, loose, sandy loam free of stones and clods; rocks cause forked/deformed carrots; NO fresh manure , causes forking and hairy roots
🚿 Drainage
Well-drained; raised beds ideal for root development
📏 Spacing
Seeds 2, 3 inches apart in rows 12, 18 inches apart; thin to 2, 3 inches between plants when seedlings are 2 inches tall
⏱️ Maturity
55-80 days (from seed); baby carrots at 30-40 days
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ Taproot
🍽️ Leaves (edible , use in pesto, soups, salads; slightly bitter)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (17)
Arugula's peppery scent deters carrot flies; quick-growing salad green between carrot rows.
Carrots loosen soil for pepper roots; peppers provide light shade for carrots in hot weather.
Bok choy provides quick ground cover that shades carrot seedlings; compatible root zones.
Chervil improves carrot flavor and growth; repels carrot flies and aphids.
Young dill attracts parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and ladybugs that prey on carrot pests including carrot rust flies and aphids. Keep young dill near carrots but remove before it flowers, as mature dill can inhibit carrot growth.
Fava beans fix nitrogen for carrots; carrots' deep roots access nutrients below beans.
Garden peas fix nitrogen that carrots need; peas finish early, giving carrots room to expand.
Garlic repels carrot flies with its strong sulfur aroma; classic protective companion.
Lettuce shades carrot seedlings and marks rows; both are cool-season companions.
Suppresses nematodes; repels carrot rust fly
Onions repel carrot flies; carrots repel onion flies , mutually beneficial pairing.
Radishes germinate quickly (3, 5 days), marking rows and breaking soil crust for slow-germinating carrots (14, 21 days); harvested before carrots need space
Strong aroma repels carrot rust fly; also deters aphids
Repels carrot rust fly and flea beetles; aromatic oils mask carrot scent from pests
Tomatoes provide light shade for carrots in hot weather; carrots loosen soil for tomato roots; conflicting: some sources say tomato allelopathy may stunt carrots, but most report net benefit
⚠️ Keep Apart (2)
Allelopathic; carrot family relative , fennel inhibits many plants
Both Apiaceae share carrot rust fly and parsnip webworm; increases pest pressure
💊 Medicinal Uses
Medicinal Properties
- Extremely high in beta-carotene (vitamin A) , one carrot exceeds daily requirement
- Contains falcarinol , a natural pesticide compound being studied for anti-cancer properties
- High fiber; traditionally used for digestive health
- Carrot seed oil used in skincare for its regenerative and antioxidant properties
📝 Growing Notes
Carrots are notoriously slow to germinate (14, 21 days). Keep soil consistently moist during germination , use burlap or row cover to retain moisture. The 'radish trick' (interplanting with radishes) marks rows and breaks crust. Carrots taste sweeter after frost (cold converts starches to sugars). For heavy clay soils, grow shorter varieties like 'Chantenay' or 'Parisian'. Carrot rust fly is the most devastating pest , the onion/leek interplanting is the best organic control.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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