How to Grow Carrots

Sowing Time

• Sow successionally from March to September
• For Spring cropping, sow outdoors in mid Autumn or under protection in mid Winter

Soil Preparation

• Quality of the soil is important
• Start digging over soil in late Winter or early Spring
• A fine crumbly texture is ideal
• Do not add manure as it can make the soil too rich for the seeds
• Sand will add drainage so mix seeds with a handful
• Carrot seeds hate drying out, if sowing in summer make sure to keep moist

Sowing Instructions

• Plant seeds as thinnly as possible
• Thin again once seedlings show their first rough leaves
• This minimises competition and allows to grow faster

Harvesting

• Pull up carrots as soon as they are big enough to eat
• Best to harvest in the evening to avoid carrot fly attack
• Use a fork to lift, being careful not to damage the carrots

Storage

• Late sown carrots must be lifted by October and stored over winter
• Only store the best undamaged roots
• Cut off foliage, and lay the roots between layers of sand in a storage box
• Store somewhere cool and dry
• Remove any rotten roots

 Pests and Diseases

• Pests: Carrot fly
• Damage to carrot: The carrot fly lays eggs that attack the carrot
• Effect on carrot: Larvae tunnels through to the root causing carrot to wilt
• Carrot fly is a low flying insect
• Reduce attack by: Erecting windbreakers or fine mesh to protect crop
  • Remove thinnings and other waste from the area
  • Try growing your carrots on raised beds or in old water butts
• Other plants such as chives, sage and rosemary will also help to deter carrot fly
• Other pests, diseases & issues include: Carrot willow aphid, swift moth, green top, forked roots and splitting