Carrot

Carrots in Barwick

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.

Height30cm
SunlightFull Sun
WaterModerate Water

Growing Guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Carrot

Planting Calendar

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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.

  1. Prepare the Bed

    19 Feb – 9 Apr

    Choose a deep, well-dug patch and break the soil down to a fine tilth before 19th February - 9th April. Rake out stones and do not add fresh manure, as that can split and fork the roots.

  2. Sow Seeds Directly

    19 Feb – 17 Jul
    every 3 weeks

    Sow thinly in shallow drills around 19 Feb - 17 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.

  3. Install Pest Protection

    19 Feb – 17 Jul

    Cover the row with fine insect-proof mesh straight after sowing, from 19th February. Keep the edges sealed, since carrot fly can find gaps very easily.

  4. Thin Seedlings

    25 May – 1 Jun

    When the seedlings are up, from 25th 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.

  5. Lift Roots

    13 Jul – 21 Nov

    Start lifting roots from 13th July once they are large enough to eat. Pull them as needed through 13th July - 21st 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.

Also in nearby towns

See how Carrot timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.