Sow direct, sow thinly, and keep the carrot fly off with mesh.
Care
Full sun.
Medium and steady — sudden heavy watering after drought splits the roots.
Light, stone-free, well-drained soil not recently manured; forked roots come from stones and fresh manure. Short varieties suit heavy soil or pots.
None. Thin seedlings so roots have room.
No feeding needed; too much nitrogen gives lush leaves and forked roots.
Sow direct thinly in shallow drills from early spring to early summer; carrots don't transplant.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchSow thinly direct under cloches or in pots. how ›
- MayThin seedlings in the evening and firm the soil back to hide the scent from carrot fly.
- JuneCover rows with fine mesh against carrot fly.
- OctoberLift and store maincrop carrots, or leave in the ground with a mulch in mild areas.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchSow thinly direct under cloches or in pots. how ›
- MayThin seedlings in the evening and firm the soil back to hide the scent from carrot fly.
- JuneCover rows with fine mesh against carrot fly.
- OctoberLift and store maincrop carrots, or leave in the ground with a mulch in mild areas.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruarySow thinly direct under cloches or in pots. how ›
- AprilThin seedlings in the evening and firm the soil back to hide the scent from carrot fly.
- JuneCover rows with fine mesh against carrot fly.
- NovemberLift and store maincrop carrots, or leave in the ground with a mulch in mild areas.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruarySow thinly direct under cloches or in pots. how ›
- AprilThin seedlings in the evening and firm the soil back to hide the scent from carrot fly.
- JuneCover rows with fine mesh against carrot fly.
- NovemberLift and store maincrop carrots, or leave in the ground with a mulch in mild areas.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Rusty tunnels in the roots.
What to do. Cover with insect mesh, sow thinly and thin in the evening.
How to spot it. Split, misshapen roots.
What to do. Stony or freshly manured soil; use short varieties or pots.
How to spot it. Roots crack lengthways.
What to do. Irregular watering.
Questions
Carrot: is it hardy?
H7: Fully hardy anywhere in the UK. It survives below −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — short or round varieties in deep pots.
Carrot: when do you prune it?
None.
When do you feed it?
No feeding needed; too much nitrogen gives lush leaves and forked roots.