Holly's Homestead — Root Vegetable
Carrot
Daucus carota · Carrot family
DIFFICULTY Moderate
TYPE Biennial, grown as annual, direct sown
MATURITY 60–80 days
TYPE Biennial, grown as annual, direct sown
MATURITY 60–80 days
Sun
Full sun
Water
Consistent
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Spacing
5cm × 30cm
Depth
0.5–1cm
01Soil depth matters
Carrots need loose, stone-free soil to at least 30cm. Compacted ground or a buried stone splits the taproot into forks — dig deep and sieve out debris before sowing.
02Planting
Method
Direct sow thinly — carrots dislike being transplanted due to the taproot.
Soil
Deep, loose, stone-free to 30cm. Stones and compaction cause forking.
Timing
Sow spring through summer in cool zones; cooler months in the subtropics.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Thin to 5cm apart once true leaves appear — crowding stunts roots.
- Keep the soil surface moist until germination, which is slow (10–20 days).
- Hill soil lightly over shoulders to stop tops turning green.
- Hand-weed while young; carrots compete poorly early on.
04Problems
- Carrot fly — larvae tunnel roots; use fine mesh barriers.
- Forking — from stony, compacted soil, or fresh manure.
- Splitting — irregular watering, especially dry spells then heavy rain.
- Cavity spot — dark lesions from waterlogged, poorly drained soil.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Shoulders visible at soil surface, ~2cm across; brush soil back to check size.
Method
Loosen soil with a fork before pulling to avoid snapping roots.
Curing
None needed; twist or cut tops off close to the crown.
Storage
Cool, humid, dark — fridge crisper or damp sand. Keeps 2–4 months.
Preserving
See Root Cellaring (cool, dark storage without processing) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
Recipes
Try our Honey-Roasted Carrots — a way to use a glut.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
OnionLeekRosemaryLettuceAvoid nearby
DillRotation note
Rotate with legumes to loosen soil; avoid heavy, un-amended clay beds.
