{"id":2282,"date":"2019-06-06T09:13:00","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T09:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2282"},"modified":"2020-01-22T08:32:19","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T08:32:19","slug":"14-steps-on-sowing-and-harvesting-carrots-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-steps-on-sowing-and-harvesting-carrots-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Steps on Sowing and Harvesting Carrots at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Oh, the carrot\u2026 good ol\u2019 caucus carrot subsp. sativus\u2026 its scientific name\u2026 one I\u2019ve personally never come across before, but\u2026 still\u2026 it seemed interesting to learn.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The carrot is a root vegetable, as most of us know\u2026 typically orange, but may be a variety of colors (mainly 5 options there).  We domesticated carrots from the wild European- Asian crop for our dietary desires.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first drawing of a carrot, beloved as ever, can be found online\u2026 it is from a first-century pharmacopeia in Greece.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have relied on the dependable, delectable, adorable carrot for so many centuries, apparently.\u00a0 Its nutrient-dense life-giving substance yields us with energy to face our days, and delight to fill our mouths, no matter how you prepare it.\u00a0 Raw or cooked, it feeds and nurtures the body, mind, and spirit.\u00a0 If you\u2019re looking to start your own family of carrots, I support you 100%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Prepare a Spot: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It really is not hard to grow carrots in a variety of environments.  They grow well in pots, raised beds, and also directly in the ground.  Make sure you choose a spot that gets full sun, though.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will ensure healthy happy carrots to grow, with less frustration with failing seeds.\u00a0 Stone free soil preferred as the stones will cause carrot roots to split and spiral.\u00a0 Using compost infused, moderately loose, tilled soil is ideal.\u00a0 It makes it a bit easier for the roots to grow straight down into the rich earth and supplies them with good nutrients to grow fast and to optimal size.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you manured the area recently, however, it tends to cause the roots to fork, which typically is less favored.  This last one is likely less of an issue for people in the city.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Choose a Variety:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carrots, while seeming very straight forward a vegetable, actually have quite a few types out there.  Simply stopping into a Whole Foods or Central Market (if you have them in your area), or another health food grocery store likely, can open one\u2019s eyes to some of the varieties.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are black carrots, red carrots, purple, yellow, and even white ones!\u00a0 Stump carrots, finger-sized carrots (both good for firmer soils), medium, and long ones (both good for looser soils)!\u00a0 There\u2019s (still) chunky main-crop carrots!\u00a0 (These are ideal for planting late in the season in order to store the root through winter for next season!)\u00a0 Size, shape, and color, these options go for days.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also pest-resistant varieties, like carrot fly resistant, that are worth looking into.\u00a0 The smaller the root, the more it will thrive in denser soils\u2026 the larger the root, the more likely they will do well in pots, above-ground beds, and looser soils.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The color is simply a preference, as far as I can tell.\u00a0 And what a fun preference to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Sow Seeds: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carrots can be testy critters, so make sure to show them where you intend to let them grow into fruition.\u00a0 They do not like being transplanted, (like most living things).\u00a0 The ideal times to sow are early spring to mid-summer.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are planting inside\u2026 girl, or dude\u2026 you go right ahead and go year-round!\u00a0 For those planting outdoors, you can sow 3 weeks before the last expected frost, if you cover them.\u00a0 Mark your seed rows, in order to maintain organization in your crop bed.\u00a0 Rows should be about six inches apart and 1\/4 inch deep.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may extend as long as you\u2019d like.  Sprinkle seeds along the rows.  Carrot seeds are very small, so it may take some extra care to ensure you spread them evenly.  Now, it is time to push some of the soil from the edges of the rows back over the top of the seeds.  There should end up with about 1\/4 inch of soil put back on top, considering that the rows were made that deep in the beginning.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give the seeds a good dose of water, then label the section you planted with a marker for identification later.  This part is important if you are planting multiple crops, especially.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Protect Seeds:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you sow before the last frost, just make sure you cover the seeds or seedlings (sprouted seeds) to protect them, as they are in a fragile, infantile state.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to keep the area moist, especially when the seeds are still young.  Try to use a watering can, as it can be much more gentle than a hose or sprayer, which tend to move the tiny seeds all out of place, potentially bunching them in bundles, which is not something you want to happen.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An organized garden is much easier to enjoy, by all.  But\u2026 use what you have to just do the best you can.  As long as they have water, they will be able to grow.  You can expect your seeds to begin sprouting after two to three weeks!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water them every one to three days to ensure they keep sprouting, early on.  Just try not to drown them in standing puddles.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Pest Control:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carrot flies are a real thing!  And they damage carrot roots.  They lay their eggs in the crops, which eat away at your vegetables.  Cover your carrots immediately after sowing to protect them from this pest that can ruin your crop completely.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to secure the edges of cover, with rocks or whatever \u201cpaperweights\u201d you have lying around.\u00a0 Keep the cover in place over the whole life of the carrot.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they are in a pot, set the pot or container up off the ground, such as on a table.  This will keep the damaging flies away.  Another great idea is companion planting.  This confuses the carrot fly from seeing the carrots as easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leeks are a good companion plant to carrots. The flies are active late sprint through to fall.\u00a0 Some say avoiding pruning or thinking of the crop also keeps them away, as you are not disrupting the plant and uprising scent, similar to when the grass is cut and the scent uprises.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resistant carrot varieties are worth using if you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Maintain the Spot:  <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Maintain your crop by sowing a row every 2-3 weeks so that you can continuously harvest throughout the season for a robust, abundant, ongoing batch.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeding is a good idea in order to prevent the weeds from stealing nutrients away from the carrots.  Keep soil moist, but not drenched.  You will know you are watering them too much if the leaves turn yellow.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organic mulch on occasion is helpful to keep the soil in peak condition and nutrient-rich for your carrots to grow big and strong.\u00a0 If too many of your seeds have sprouted in one spot, it is not a bad idea to pull them in order to provide even growing ground and space for each one to grow healthy and straight; although this practice is debatable, as it can attract pests with the scent of broken leaves.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, it\u2019s like if you have too many people in a small space\u2026 they grow better with a little space, generally speaking.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Harvesting: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ideal time to harvest is when your carrot is ready!  Late spring to early winter is a good harvesting window.  The carrots will complete their growth life in about 2 – 3 months.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the carrot head or shoulder, as it is called, (AKA the furthest tip of the root) is visible (as it has grown large enough to push itself up through the topsoil), then they are likely ready for harvest (to pull).\u00a0 When the winter comes, you can store roots for use next spring, by placing them lined up on their side in a box with sand.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is typically considered ideal compared to leaving them in the ground through winter, especially if you don\u2019t have ground freeze during your winters.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because pests tend to be drawn to that area over the long stretch of time they are left in soil.\u00a0 This would mean the next planting season, you would likely have to move your planting spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Enjoy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s always fun to invite your friends and\/ or family to share in the experience with you.  This can spread the joy and desire of planting one\u2019s own garden.  And, if this planet could use some help with anything, it\u2019s small farming in all areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local crop growing helps the planet by reducing transportation carbon emissions, enriching soil life, and encouraging local connections between neighbors!\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exploration and hands-on experience of the great outdoors and nature can be life-enriching in so many ways\u2026 your friends, family, and neighbors will surely enjoy the excess vegetables you have leftover, too.\u00a0 You might just gain some new friends from the experience.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is nothing like sharing a hobby with a friend.  You might even join WWOOF.org<\/a>, where organic farmers can join to connect with people who want to work on farms for a simple trade of a meal per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n