Carrots

Carrots are a great starter veg and one that kids will enjoy growing too. Harvesting them straight from the ground will provide you with fresh, tasty carrots that will be the centre piece of any plate. Read our guide below for comprehensive advice on growing them.

How to grow your carrots

If you have a protected area or can use horticultural fleece or cloches, early cropping carrot seeds can be sown in February or March. Main crops between April/May. Carrots love a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil.

Harvesting times vary. Earlies should be ready between 12 and 18 weeks. Main crop varieties usually take between 18 and 24 weeks.

Sowing your carrots

• Create a drill line with a cane or something similar about 1cm (0.5inches) deep in which to sow seeds.
• Keep each drill line between 15 and 30 cm (6 and 12 inches) apart and water.
• Sprinkle seeds sparingly along the line, then carefully cover with a fine layer of soil using a trowel or your hand.
• Remember to mark the line of carrot seeds with a label and water regularly but don’t overwater.
• Sow more seeds at two-weekly intervals and enjoy a continuous harvest through the season.
• Thin out any plants that are too close together. 
• It is best to space individual plants between 5 and 7.5 cm (6 and 12 inches) apart so that each carrot can grow to a good size.
• If you are tight on space you can also grow carrots in a container but make sure you use good quality fertiliser.

Harvest carrots when the tops look to have a good growth. Early crops should be ready about June with later crops in autumn.

Growing your own vegetable is the best way to save money and get the freshest produce from your garden to the kitchen table. Carrots are a great starter veg if you are new to grow your own.

How to grow

• Sow outdoors thinly where they are to crop, 1.5cm (½in) deep, directly into finely prepared soil that has already been watered. 
• Allow 30cm (12in) between rows.
• Early sowings may benefit from cloche protection.
• Seedlings usually appear in 14-21 days. 
• Thin by harvesting young carrots evenly from the row, allowing remainder to grow on.
• Water well until plants are established.
• Regular sowings made every 3 weeks will ensure a continuous supply of young roots.
• Roots can be lifted in autumn. 
• Remove soil and store in dry sand for use during winter.

Top tips

Prepare the soil in advance of sowing to remove stones and produce a deep, fine soil texture.

Do not add manure to the soil as this will cause the roots to fork.

Keep well-watered during dry spells as this will help prevent the roots from splitting.

Young roots can be pulled early to enjoy eating young and raw such as in salads, or lightly steamed or roasted.