Propagate by
seed
Germination temperature: 50 F to 85 F
- Will germinate at temperatures as low a 40 F. Will germinate in about a week at 75 F, with adequate moisture.
Days to emergence: 7 to 21
Seed can be saved 3 years.
Plant in spring, 2 to 3 weeks before last frost, ½ inch deep, ½ inch
apart, in rows 12 to 24 inches apart. Deeply worked soil with fine,
weed-free seedbed will greatly improve chances of successful crop.Carrots
are slow to germinate (1 to 3 weeks), and often germinate unevenly over
a period of several weeks. To speed germination, water lightly daily if
soil is dry.
Thinning is critical to reduce competition from
neighboring plants. Thin to 1- to 4-inch spacings (depending on size of
root desired) before plants are 2 inches tall. Cutting rather than
pulling reduces disturbance of the remaining plants.
To improve
germination in dry weather: Make a small furrow, about 2 inches deep.
Plant seed and cover with about ½ inch of soil. Cover furrow with a
board to retain soil moisture until seeds germinate.
Tip: Sow
radishes in the same row. They germinate quickly, break the soil crust,
and mark the row. Thin and/or harvest radishes before they compete with
carrots.
Use seed tape or pelleted seed for more even spacings
and less thinning. Or mix seed in roughly equal proportions with sand,
fine vermiculite, or dried coffee grounds.
Mulch to keep soil
cool, conserve moisture and to keep exposed "shoulders" from turning
green and bitter. Another option is to hill soil over the shoulders.
Make
additional plantings every three weeks through midsummer for continuous
supply and fall harvest. Sowing in very early spring is possible, but
some varieties will bolt if temperatures are too cold. Plant crops for
fall harvest about 10 to 12 weeks before first frost.
Root
quality is best when soil temperatures are 60 F to 70 F. The shape of
the root is determined within the first few weeks after germination
when the new plant extends its taproot deep into the soil. If it
encounters obstacles (such as rocks or high water table) or is damaged,
shape and quality of the root will suffer.
To prevent diseases, don’t plant carrots in the same spot more than once every 3 years.
Avoid planting on ground that was in sod the previous season. Use fabric covers to exclude insects.Carrot
rust fly - Harvest all carrots by September 1 in upstate New York, by
August 20 farther South, to avoid second brood injury.
Carrot weevil - Clean up garden debris in autumn. Beneficial nematodes are available. Apply as directed on label.
Leafhopper - Leafhoppers spread disease causing carrots to be woody, hairy and bitter. No cultural control is available.
Other pests:
Slugs
