Carrots in Hand Green

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Carrot
Carrot · 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.

30 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Hand Green · last frost ≈ 3 May

Sow April to May, harvest August to October. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
SowNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Carrot

Growing guide for

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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. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    8 Mar to 26 Apr

    Choose a deep, well-dug patch and break the soil down to a fine tilth before 8th March - 26th April. Rake out stones and do not add fresh manure, as that can split and fork the roots.

  2. 02

    Sow Seeds Directly

    19 Apr to 17 May every 3 weeks

    Sow thinly in shallow drills around 19 Apr - 17 May, 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. 03

    Install Pest Protection

    19 Apr to 17 May

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

  4. 04

    Thin Seedlings

    31 May to 14 Jun

    When the seedlings are up, from 31st 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. 05

    Lift Roots

    16 Aug to 19 Oct

    Start lifting roots from 16th August once they are large enough to eat. Pull them as needed through 16th August - 19th October, 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.

Carrot guides by town

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