Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus • Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae)
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Native to Europe and Southwestern Asia; extensively cultivated in temperate regions globally.
📅 Days to Maturity
65-75 days; may be harvested early as baby carrots. Suitable for succession planting every 3 weeks through mid-summer.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-11; grown as a biennial but cultivated as an annual harvest.
About This Seed
Small, flattened, oval-shaped seeds with a ribbed, slightly hairy/spiny surface (schizocarps). Color is light to medium brown. The plant produces a deep orange, blunt-tipped conical root and lace-like, feathery green foliage standing 12-18 inches tall.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Early Spring to Late Summer; direct sow 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Cold-hardy and frost tolerant.
Germination
Takes 10-21 days. Optimal soil temperature is 60°F-75°F (15°C-24°C). Requires constant moisture; seeds must not dry out. Light is not strictly required but depth must be minimal.
Planting Instructions
Planting depth: 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Spacing: 1-2 inches apart, thinned to 3-4 inches. Row spacing: 12-18 inches. Prefers loose, well-draining sandy loam with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (6-8 hours); requires consistent even moisture (approx 1 inch per week). Avoid overhead watering to prevent rot.
Companion Plants
Beneficial: Tomatoes (provide shade), Onions/Leeks (deter carrot rust fly), Chives, and Rosemary. Avoid: Dill and Parsnips (due to cross-pollination and shared pests).
Special Characteristics
High in Beta-carotene, heat tolerant, adapts well to slightly heavier soils compared to Imperator varieties, attracts beneficial insects like lacewings if allowed to flower.