Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus • Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae)
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Native to Europe and Southwestern Asia; widely adapted to temperate climates globally.
📅 Days to Maturity
65-75 days from sowing to harvest. Best harvested when shoulders reach about 1 inch in diameter.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-10; biennial grown as an annual. Frost improves sweetness of the root.
About This Seed
Small, flattened, oval-shaped seeds with a ribbed, slightly fuzzy texture and light tan to brownish color. The plant is a biennial grown as an annual, featuring lacy, fern-like foliage and a thick, tapered orange taproot reaching 6-8 inches.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Fall; direct sow 2-4 weeks before the last frost or in late summer for fall harvest. Cold hardy.
Germination
7-21 days; optimal soil temperature 60-75°F (15-24°C). Requires consistent moisture; light is beneficial but not required for germination. No pre-treatment needed.
Planting Instructions
Depth: 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Spacing: thin to 2-3 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart. Prefers loose, well-draining, sandy loam with pH 6.0-6.8.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (6-8 hours); requires frequent, consistent watering to prevent root splitting and ensure steady growth. Moderately drought sensitive.
Companion Plants
Beneficial: Tomatoes, leeks, onions, and rosemary (confuses carrot rust fly). Avoid: Dill and parsnips (due to shared pests and cross-pollination risks).
Special Characteristics
High in Beta-carotene, heat tolerant for its species, pollinator-friendly if allowed to flower, and stores well in cool conditions.