Carrots in Barns of Claverhouse
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
Carrots do best in a deep, light, stone-free soil with plenty of sun. Sow direct in short batches from late winter into early summer, thin carefully, and keep roots covered to help reduce carrot fly damage.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Carrot
Planting Calendar
Growing Guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Grow outdoors in a fine, stone-free bed for the main harvest. This suits the usual UK garden sowing pattern and gives the longest picking season.
Prepare the Bed
14 Feb – 4 AprChoose a deep, well-dug patch and break the soil down to a fine tilth before 14th February - 4th April. Rake out stones and do not add fresh manure, as that can split and fork the roots.
Sow Seeds Directly
14 Feb – 12 Julevery 3 weeksSow thinly in shallow drills around 14 Feb - 12 Jul, then cover with of fine soil and water in well. Sow a fresh row every 21 days for a steady supply rather than one large crop.
Install Pest Protection
14 Feb – 12 JulCover the row with fine insect-proof mesh straight after sowing, from 14th February. Keep the edges sealed, since carrot fly can find gaps very easily.
Thin Seedlings
20 May – 27 MayWhen the seedlings are up, from 20th May, thin them carefully to apart so the roots can swell properly. Do it on a still day and water the row afterwards to settle the soil.
Lift Roots
8 Jul – 11 NovStart lifting roots from 8th July once they are large enough to eat. Pull them as needed through 8th July - 11th November, and maincrop roots can often stay in the ground longer if the soil is free draining.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Carrot.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Carrot to consider
Amsterdam Forcing 3
A slim early carrot for quick sowings and smaller roots. Good for a light soil and picking young.
Nantes 2
A dependable maincrop type with blunt, sweet roots and good texture. Common in UK gardens and suits most free-draining soils.
Flyaway
Bred to help reduce carrot fly damage in the garden. Useful where pest pressure is a regular problem.
Autumn King 2
A classic long-storing maincrop carrot with good flavour and size. Best when given a deep, stone-free bed.
Related Plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.