When to Plant Carrots

Carrots are a rewarding crop when grown in the right conditions, with timing playing a crucial role in the quality and yield. Whether you're working with open ground or containers, understanding the correct planting period sets the stage for success.

What is the Best Time of Year to Plant Carrots

The ideal time to plant carrots in the UK is from early spring through to midsummer. Most varieties thrive when sown between March and July, though some early cultivars can be planted under cloches as soon as February. Successional sowing every few weeks helps maintain a steady supply through the season. Carrots prefer cool, consistent conditions to germinate and grow well.

How to Grow Carrots

Carrots need a light, sandy, and stone-free soil to grow straight and strong. Deep digging and raking to a fine tilth creates the best bed. Avoid adding fresh manure, which can cause the roots to fork. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage, and keep the soil consistently moist during germination.

Growing Carrots from Seed

Carrot seeds are small and can take a couple of weeks to germinate. Sow them directly where they will grow, spacing the rows about 15cm apart. Thin the seedlings once established to avoid overcrowding, leaving around 5cm between each plant. Avoid disturbing the roots during thinning to prevent attracting carrot fly.

Growing Carrots in Containers

Containers are a great option if your soil is heavy or stony. Choose a deep pot at least 30cm tall and fill it with a free-draining compost and sand mix. Sow the seeds thinly and keep the compost moist, avoiding waterlogging. Containers can be moved to catch more sun and help control pests.

Caring for Your Carrot Crop

Once established, carrots need minimal attention beyond weeding and watering. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage long roots. Avoid overfeeding, as excess nitrogen can lead to bushy tops and poor root growth. Keep the soil evenly moist to prevent cracking and splitting.

Pests and Diseases

The most common threat is carrot fly, which is attracted by the scent of bruised foliage. Minimise risk by thinning carefully and covering rows with horticultural fleece. Raised beds and companion planting with onions or leeks can also help deter pests. Fungal diseases are less common but can appear in wet conditions, so ensure proper spacing for airflow.

How to Harvest Carrots

Carrots are ready for harvest when the roots reach a usable size, usually around 12–16 weeks after sowing. Loosen the soil gently with a fork and pull the carrots by hand to avoid snapping. Smaller varieties can be harvested earlier for baby carrots, while others can be left to mature for fuller flavour.

How to Store Carrots

For short-term storage, carrots can be kept in the fridge. For longer storage, remove the green tops and store the roots in boxes of sand or peat in a cool, dark place. Properly stored, they can last several months. Avoid washing before storage to prevent rot.

How to Save Carrot Seeds

Carrots are biennial, producing seeds in their second year. Leave a few healthy plants in the ground over winter, or replant them in spring. In year two, they’ll flower and produce seed heads. Harvest the seeds once dry and store them in a paper envelope in a cool, dry spot.

Preparation for Growing Carrots

Before sowing, prepare the ground by removing stones and weeds. Rake the soil to a fine texture and water it lightly if dry. Avoid compacted or clay-heavy soils unless amended. Good preparation reduces competition from weeds and gives your carrot seedlings the best start possible.

Climate Considerations

In the UK, regional climate can influence the exact timing. In southern areas, sowing can begin earlier in spring and extend later into summer. In cooler northern zones, aim for a narrower window from late March to June. Always consider local frost dates and soil temperature, which should ideally be around 7°C or above for germination.

Successional Sowing

To keep a steady supply of carrots, sow seeds every 2–3 weeks from March to July. This approach avoids a glut of carrots all at once and extends the harvest into early autumn. Early sowings may yield crops by June, while later sowings can be harvested into October.

Using Cloches or Fleece

For an early start, especially in colder regions, use cloches or fleece to warm the soil in February. This helps with germination and also gives a head start against pests like carrot fly. Removing the cover once the weather stabilises helps harden off the young plants.

Choosing the Right Variety

Early varieties like 'Amsterdam Forcing' or 'Early Nantes' are good for spring sowing, while maincrop types such as 'Autumn King' are better suited to later planting and long-term storage. Some varieties are even bred for container growing or for resistance to carrot fly.

Soil Temperature Tools

Serious growers may use a soil thermometer to check when to plant. Carrots won’t germinate well in cold soil, and sowing into wet, cold ground often leads to poor emergence or fungal issues. Waiting until soil temps are stable ensures better success.