If you’re interested in growing carrots (Daucus carota), it’s crucial to know that they thrive in cooler temperatures, making early spring and late fall ideal times for their development. Optimal temperatures range from nighttime lows around 13°C to daytime highs of 24°C. Carrots adapt well to small gardens, flower beds, and even tolerate shade.

Here are some tips on how to grow carrots:

Prepare the Soil: Clear the soil surface of weeds, stones, and large chunks of debris. Enrich the soil with potting mix to promote carrot growth. The optimal soil for carrots is sandy soil with good drainage, avoiding clay soils that lead to slow maturation and rough, unattractive roots.

Site Preparation: Choose a soft, airy area for planting carrots. Properly fertilize the soil and use a rake to mix it well.

Growing Carrots from Seed: Easily obtain carrot seeds from supermarkets, garden centers, or online platforms like Amazon. Plant the seeds in rows for proper root development, at about 2.5 cm deep and 3-5 cm apart. When carrot plants reach 10 cm in height, thin them out to a distance of 5 cm, ensuring even distribution.

Weed Control: Prevent weed invasion as they compete for essential nutrients and hinder carrot development. Regularly weed manually as soon as weeds appear.

Carrot Growth Timeline: Carrots grow continuously after planting and have a relatively short maturity time. Initiate the first harvest in mid-spring, after the last frost, and continue planting new seeds every two weeks for an extended harvest until fall.

Harvesting Carrots: Begin harvesting carrots when they reach finger size. Alternatively, leave them in the ground until winter with proper garden cover. To check the size of the carrot, gently remove soil from the top of the root and assess. Harvest by gently lifting the carrots from the ground.

By following these recommendations, you’ll be able to enjoy a rich harvest of carrots with sweet, tender roots.