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The Daucus carota sativus , worldwide known as carrot, is one of the most consumed vegetables in the cuisines of much of the globe. The carrot we know, however, is in a domesticated form. The original wild carrot, typical of Europe and Asia, has a notably smaller and less flavorful root.

It is a biennial plant that is grown to consume its root, very rich in potassium, phosphorus and carotenes, which the body transforms into Vitamin A. In this AgroCorrn article we will see how to plant carrots and when to do it , as well as maintenance basic of the cultivation of carrots to be able to enjoy our own vegetables, which will taste better than ever.

You may also be interested in: Radishes: how to sow and grow
Index
  1. When to plant carrots
  2. How to sow carrot seeds
  3. How to plant carrots: transplant the seedling
  4. How to grow carrots: basic care
  5. When are carrots picked

When to plant carrots

To begin to get into the carrot cultivation , we explain when is the best time to place the seeds of this vegetable in the soil of our garden.

Carrot seeds are not complicated to sow, and although in other climates you have to pay close attention to the sowing time, in the Mediterranean area you can sow carrots almost all year round . On the other hand, in colder or drier climates, it is recommended to sow between the months of April to July .

In this other AgroCorrn article we explain what vegetables to plant in summer , apart from carrots.

How to sow carrot seeds

The sowing of the carrot can be done directly in the desired terrain, be it an orchard or outdoor garden or in an indoor pot. After deciding this, follow these guidelines on how to sow carrot seeds .

  1. Planting potted carrots will require containers that are at least 12 to 14 inches deep so that the roots can develop properly. In colder areas or if you prefer to ensure the proper germination of the seeds, it is also common to sow carrots in a seedbed , and then transplant them to their final location.
  2. It is recommended to soak the seeds before planting them, since carrots are a plant that requires a lot of humidity. You can choose here to either leave them in water for up to two hours before sowing them, or leave them on damp paper or cloth for up to 48 hours before being planted.
  3. It is also important to prepare a suitable soil or substrate, preferably clay, and aerate and moisten it before placing the seeds, whether it is soil, pot or seedbed.
  4. Carrots tend not to germinate usually, or some grow very small, so it is also recommended to enrich the soil with earthworm humus or organic fertilizer , which will maximize the possibilities of our plants.
  5. When sowing, make small one-centimeter-deep holes about 2.5 cm apart, depositing one in each.
  6. Don’t worry if it takes a few days before you start to see the first sprouts, as carrots take their time.

You may also be interested in knowing the Vegetables that grow well together and learning that carrots grow without problems, and even better, if they are planted next to tomatoes, beans, garlic, onions and peas. And if you are interested in adding any of these to your garden, we encourage you to learn how to grow organic tomatoes .

How to plant carrots: transplant the seedling

When the plant already shows at least two leaves and is a few centimeters high, if we had planted it in a seedbed, it is time to transplant it. Transplanting the carrot plant is very simple:

  1. Prepare the soil for what will be its final location by aerating it, moistening it and enriching it with compost or humus.
  2. Dig up the carrot carefully, also picking up the surrounding soil, approximately three centimeters from the sprout.
  3. Prepare a hole deep enough for the entire root to be buried, and place the seedling in it.

How to grow carrots: basic care

The most important point to keep in mind with carrots is that they require the soil or substrate to be always moist . The plants will appreciate having a constant humidity to be able to develop as large as possible. Of course, humidity should not be confused with waterlogging. Always avoid the latter, which could bring diseases to plants. When it comes to light, carrots really appreciate being somewhere where they get sunlight throughout the day . Only if you live in a particularly hot climate or with very strong sun should you place them in semi-shade.

Finally, it is possible that this plant is attacked by the carrot fly . By planting garlic cloves near them, you can prevent your carrots from being damaged by this pest. Likewise, if this appears, you can also resort to insecticides and here we explain how to make natural insecticides for plants .

When are carrots picked

In about three months after planting , the carrots will begin to be ready to be harvested.

However, the plant can be harvested throughout its first year of life, allowing it to grow longer and thus allowing you to enjoy fresh carrots for longer. On the other hand, if what you want is that your carrots give seeds to be able to sow them again, you will have to wait for the following year. This is a biennial plant, which accumulates strength and nutrients during its first year of life and then reproduces in the second.

If you want to read more articles similar to Planting carrots: how and when to do it , we recommend that you enter our category of Growing and caring for plants .

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Hello, I am a blogger specialized in environmental, health and scientific dissemination issues in general. The best way to define myself as a blogger is by reading my texts, so I encourage you to do so. Above all, if you are interested in staying up to date and reflecting on these issues, both on a practical and informative level.

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