When to plant Carrots in the UK

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
Sow outdoors February to May, harvest April to November.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Use this for the earliest outdoor sowings under fleece or a cloche. It helps you get a jump on the season in a cool UK spring.

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    early February to late April UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Work the soil to a fine tilth before early February to late April and remove as many stones as possible. Avoid manured ground, because carrots fork easily in rich, freshly fed soil.

  2. 02

    Sow Seeds Directly

    early February to late May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills around early February to late May, then cover with of fine soil and water in carefully. Early sowings often do best under fleece or a cloche to warm the ground a little.

  3. 03

    Install Pest Protection

    early February to late May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Fit insect-proof mesh over the row straight after sowing, from early February. Keep it in place through the growing period so carrot fly cannot reach the crop.

  4. 04

    Thin Seedlings

    late February to late June UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Thin the seedlings carefully from late February to apart once they are large enough to handle. Water lightly after thinning to settle the soil and reduce the smell that can attract pests.

  5. 05

    Lift Roots

    mid-April to late November UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Begin lifting usable roots from mid-April and keep picking through mid-April to late November. Early sowings can size up faster than expected, so check them regularly rather than leaving them too long.

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.