Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus • Apiaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Central Asia, particularly Iran and Afghanistan, widely adapted and cultivated globally in temperate regions
📅 Days to Maturity
65 to 75 days to maturity from direct sowing. Harvest window is extended as roots can remain in the ground through light frosts, which actually sweetens their flavor.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10, grown as a hardy cool-season annual in most regions, though technically a biennial if allowed to flower in the second year.
About This Seed
Seeds are small, oval to oblong, light brown to grayish-green, measuring about 2-3 mm in length, with distinctive bristly ribs along the surface. The resulting plant features feathery, fern-like foliage, an upright growth habit, and produces a conical, sweet, orange fleshy taproot underground, reaching 6-8 inches in length.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Fall, direct sow in early spring 2-3 weeks before the last frost date, or in late summer for a fall crop, good frost tolerance
Germination
Germination takes 10 to 21 days at optimal soil temperatures between 55°F and 75°F. Germination rate is moderate to high (70-80%). Seeds require light for germination and should be sown shallowly; keep consistently moist until emergence.
Planting Instructions
Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep, spaced 1-2 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 2-3 inches apart once they are a few inches tall. Prefers loose, well-draining, sandy loam soil free of rocks, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily). Water consistently with about 1 inch of water per week to prevent roots from splitting; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Companion Plants
Beneficial companions include rosemary, sage, onions, leeks, lettuce, and radishes. Avoid planting near dill, parsnips, or fennel due to potential pest attraction and cross-pollination risks.
Special Characteristics
High in beta-carotene and vitamin A, excellent heat and cold tolerance once growing, exceptionally crisp and sweet when grown in cooler weather, highly attractive to beneficial predatory insects when allowed to bolt and flower.