Other names
common carrot, garden carrot
Botanical name
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
Family / Genus
Apiaceae / Daucus
Plant category
Root and tuber vegetables
Carrots are the most commonly eaten root vegetable of all.
Surprisingly though, they can be a bit tricky to grow because they're very sensitive to salt and don't cope well with too much fertiliser in the soil.
Slugs also love the seedlings. One day you're happily looking at the first little leaves and the next day they're all gone Oo
Facts and figures
Light requirements
Sun / partial shade
Nutrient requirements
Medium feeder
Difficulty level
Intermediate
Culture (according to Gertrud Franck)
C - low growth, short growing period
Culture (according to Sister C. Weinrich)
Companion crop
Growing period
150 days
Row spacing
35 cm
Plant spacing
4 cm
Growth height
30 - 60 cm
Sowing depth
2 cm
Germination temperature (minimum)
3 °C
Germination temperature (optimal)
18 - 25 °C
Germination type
Light and dark
Planting & harvest times of Carrot
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Direct sowing
Harvest
SummerDirect sowing from Early February to Mid June. After a growing period of 150 days, harvest can begin around Early July and continues until Late October.
AutumnDirect sowing from Mid May to Early July. After a growing period of 150 days, harvest can begin around Late October and continues until Late December.
Sow Carrot
Sow early varieties and those for summer harvest as early as possible.
For storage carrots to harvest in autumn, sow from mid-May to early July, depending on the maturation time of the variety.
They have an incredibly long germination time of up to 3 weeks during which you need to keep the seeds moist. You can mix the seeds with radish seeds to mark the rows and sow them together. By the time the carrots are big enough to need the space, you'll have already harvested the radishes.
After that, thin them out to 5 cm spacing.
Location and soil
They prefer rather lean soils and need consistent moisture, especially during their long germination period.
Good and bad companions of Carrot
Very good neighbours
Good neighbours
Broccoli
Between young rows of broccoli there is room at first for a row of carrots.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich)
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Cauliflower
Between young rows of cauliflower there is room at first for a row of carrots.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich)
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Chives
Chives along the edges of carrot rows are said to keep carrot fly away. An old companion planting pair, but a net protects more reliably.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
- Practical tip for this pair
Courgette
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition
Dill
Dill is said to repel carrot flies
Garlic
Garlic is said to keep carrot fly away. An old companion planting pair, but a net protects the carrots more reliably.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
Garlic chives
Carrot and garlic chives are said to keep each other's flies away. There is little evidence for this; a net protects reliably.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
Honeydew melon
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Tradition agrees across several language regions
Kale
Between young rows of kale there is room for a row of carrots at first.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich)
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Leek
Carrots are said to keep leek moth away, leeks to deter carrot fly. An old companion planting pair, but a net protects more reliably.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums keep carrot flies away
Onion
A classic companion planting pair. Whether carrot and onion protect each other from their flies is uncertain; a net protects reliably.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
Radish
Radishes germinate quickly and mark the rows of slow-germinating carrots. They are harvested before the carrots need the space.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich)
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Shallot
Carrots can be sown between rows of shallots and make good use of the space. This only helps against carrot fly while the shallots are young; a net protects reliably.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Blog, forum, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
- Practical tip for this pair
Spring onion
Spring onions can be sown thinly mixed with carrots and make good use of the space. This only helps against carrot fly while the onions are young; a net protects reliably.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
- Practical tip for this pair
Subterranean clover
Sown densely into the carrot rows, subterranean clover disrupts carrot fly. The mechanism is not fully understood.
Tree onion
A classic companion planting pair. Whether carrot and tree onion protect each other from their flies is uncertain; a net protects reliably.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
Bad neighbours
Predecessors and successors of Carrot
Very good predecessors
Pot marigold
Lasting effect: 3 years
Good predecessors
Amaranth
Lasting effect: 1 year
Buckwheat
Lasting effect: 3 years
Courgette
After well-weeded courgettes the bed is clean and rich in compost. Slow-germinating carrots have an easier time there.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Crimson clover
Carrots are sensitive to fresh nitrogen. Wait 3 to 4 weeks after incorporation.
Lasting effect: 3 years
Leek
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich)
Reasons:
- Loosens soil, improves soil structure
Lupin
Lasting effect: 3 years
Oats
Lasting effect: 3 years
Persian clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Phacelia
Lasting effect: 3 years
Potato
Lasting effect: 3 years
Sainfoin
Lasting effect: 3 years
Signet marigold
Lasting effect: 3 years
Squash
Squash covers the soil densely and keeps weeds down. Slow-germinating carrots have an easier time afterwards.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Bad predecessors
Black kale
Rotation break: 3 years
Broccoli
Carrots grow less well after cabbage. Better leave a year in between.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Brussels sprouts
Rotation break: 3 years
Cauliflower
Carrots grow less well after cabbage. Better leave a year in between.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Celeriac
Rotation break: 4 years
Chinese cabbage
Rotation break: 3 years
Cutting celery
Rotation break: 4 years
Flower Sprouts
Rotation break: 3 years
Garden cress
Rotation break: 3 years
Hamburg parsley
Rotation break: 4 years
Kale
Carrots grow less well after brassicas. Better leave a year in between.
Rotation break: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Kohlrabi
Rotation break: 3 years
Parsley
Rotation break: 4 years
Parsnip
Rotation break: 4 years
Pointed cabbage
Rotation break: 3 years
Red cabbage
Rotation break: 3 years
Romanesco
Rotation break: 3 years
Savoy cabbage
Rotation break: 3 years
Sunflower
Carrot and parsley host white mould. The risk rises after sunflowers.
Rotation break: 3 years
White cabbage
Rotation break: 3 years
Winter cress
Rotation break: 3 years
Winter rye
Rye releases growth-inhibiting compounds that stop fine seed from germinating. Wait 3 to 4 weeks after incorporation.
Rotation break: 1 year
Very bad predecessors
Good successors
Bush bean
Lasting effect: 3 years
Endive
Lasting effect: 3 years
Lamb's lettuce
Lasting effect: 3 years
Persian clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Bad successors
Batavia lettuce
Rotation break: 3 years
Brussels sprouts
Rotation break: 3 years
Butterhead lettuce
Rotation break: 3 years
Celeriac
Rotation break: 4 years
Cutting celery
Rotation break: 4 years
Fennel
Rotation break: 4 years
Garden cress
Rotation break: 3 years
Hamburg parsley
Rotation break: 4 years
Iceberg lettuce
Rotation break: 3 years
Lollo biando / Lollo rosso
Rotation break: 3 years
Oak leaf lettuce
Rotation break: 3 years
Parsley
Rotation break: 4 years
Parsnip
Rotation break: 4 years
Pea
susceptibility to stem nematodes
Rotation break: 3 years
Pole bean
Rotation break: 3 years
Potato
Rotation break: 3 years
Romaine lettuce
Rotation break: 3 years
Runner bean
Rotation break: 3 years
Winter cress
Rotation break: 3 years
Very bad successors
Asparagus
Can harbour Rhizoctonia fungus
Rotation break: 3 years
Celery
Rotation break: 4 years
Dill
Fusarium hazard
Rotation break: 4 years
Varieties
There are many varieties with different maturation times and storage qualities.
Care and fertilising
Carrots need space to develop. So make sure to thin them out and don't plant the rows too close together.
Don't fertilise — at most, spread a little mature compost on the bed in spring.
Keep them weed-free and mulch if needed. Water during dry spells.
Diseases and pests
Susceptible to
Stem nematode(low susceptibility)
Harvest and processing
Depending on the variety, you can harvest as early as summer for fresh eating.
Or if you have the chance, let them fully mature — you can tell by the leaf tips changing colour — and store them in autumn. The best way is to pack them in damp sand in a cool spot.
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