Carrot Seeds

West Coast Seeds, Carrot Seeds - Additional Information

How to Grow Carrots

Planting:
Start sowing carrot seeds directly in the garden shortly after the last frost and continue until late summer to enjoy harvests from summer to early winter. For successive crops, sow every 3 weeks. In regions with mild winters, sow winter-harvest carrots in the first two weeks of August. Keep soil temperatures between 7-30°C (45-85°F) for germination, which may take 14-21 days.


Seed Starting:
Carrot seeds are small and need shallow planting. To aid germination, the soil surface should remain moist. Water the soil deeply before sowing. Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, spacing them 4 seeds per 2cm (1″), and gently firm the soil. Water gently to keep the soil consistently moist until germination.


Growing:
Aim for a pH of 6.0-6.8 and prepare the ground with fine, humus-rich soil. Integrate ½ cup of complete organic fertilizer for every 3m (10′) row before planting. Carrots prefer well-drained soil without fresh manure to avoid misshapen growth. Maintain moisture and keep the area weed-free.

Thinning is crucial to give each carrot room to grow. When seedlings reach 2cm (1″) in height, thin them to a spacing of 4-10cm (1½-4″) apart. For more giant carrots, use the wider spacing—hill soil around any carrots protruding from the ground to prevent green shoulders.


Harvesting:
Harvest carrots at any size for the best flavour when they reach their mature colour. Post-harvest, store just above 0ºC in the sand or sawdust, or leave them under the soil in the garden for winter, pulling them as needed.

Carrots Diseases & Pests

The Carrot Rust Fly:
These pests pose a significant threat by laying eggs at the carrot's base, where the emerging larvae burrow into the roots, creating tunnels and grooves that lead to rot. This infestation is not merely a matter of aesthetics; it adversely affects the carrot's flavour, rendering it unpalatable. To combat this, employ floating row covers to prevent adult flies from reaching the carrots. Delaying planting until after the start of June can also help avoid the peak infestation period.


Wireworms:
Wireworms, the larvae of click beetles, are slender, reddish-brown pests that harden when pressed, resembling a wire. They bore irregular holes through carrot roots, spoiling the produce. These pests thrive in moist conditions, so ensuring well-drained soil can mitigate the problem. Additionally, intercropping with mustard can deter wireworms effectively.


Predatory nematodes offer a natural and effective solution for Carrot Rust flies and wireworms. Apply these beneficial nematodes in spring, targeting the larvae when they are most vulnerable for the best results in pest control.