What is a carrot?
Factors of Carrot Germination
The germination rate of carrot seeds depends on many variables, including soil temperature, moisture, and depth. Let’s examine the ideal soil conditions for carrot seed germination.
- Soil temperature – Carrots are a cool-season crop, meaning they prefer cool temperatures. The ideal temperature is 55 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit ( 12-24 degrees Celsius). If the soil temperature is too warm, the germination rate of carrots can decrease or become more sporadic.
- Soil Moisture – Carrot seeds sprout best in moist soil. It can not be too damp because that will lead to fungal issues and hinder germination. There are many ways to ensure your soil temperature stays low and the soil stays moist with good drainage. One of the more common ways is by sowing your seeds, watering them, and then placing a board over them. This board will shade the area where the seeds were planted, which will cool the soil temperature and moisten the soil.
- Soil Depth – Carrot seeds do not need to be planted deep into the soil. They should only be covered with 1/8-1/4 inch of soil. If they are planted too deep, the germination rate will decrease because the seedlings will not be able to emerge.
How to Plant Carrot Seeds
- How to prepare the soil – Carrots require loose soil. You will want to prepare your carrot bed with well-drained soils, such as organic matter and sandy soil. Heavy soils will make it challenging for your carrot root to grow, causing it to be stunted or oddly shaped. Your carrots can be planted in a raised garden bed or your inground vegetable garden. Either way, you will want to prepare the garden soil by raking it to confirm that there are no big rocks or dirt chunks and that the soil is loose instead of compacted.
- When to sow carrot seed – You will want to sow your carrot seeds in early spring or late summer. To do this, make a shallow trench in the prepared soil. Place a pile of carrot seeds from the seed packet in the palm of your hand. With your other hand, pinch some of the carrot seeds with your index finger and thumb. The best way to space the carrot seeds out is by rolling your thumb and index finger together over the top of the trench and letting them fall out. Try to plant each seed 1-2″apart. Don’t stress too much about the spacing, though, as you will have to thin the seedlings once they germinate. If thinning your carrot plants seems overwhelming, you can sow a carrot seed tape instead of the loose seeds. A carrot seed tape is a biodegradable tape with carrot seeds spaced perfectly. So, all you have to do is place the seed tapes in the trench and cover it with soil. You will not have to thin the carrots once they germinate. After your seeds are sown and covered with just enough soil under the soil surface, you must water the carrot seed rows. My preferred method is using pelleted seeds. These are seeds that are coated with an organic material, making them larger and easier to space. I have had excellent results with them.
- Watering the carrot seeds – Once your seeds are sown and covered with soil, water your carrots with adequate water. Be sure not to overwater, which can cause your soil to run and your seeds to move. Use a fine mist sprayer if you have one. Once the seeds are watered, you can cover them with a row cover or monitor the soil more frequently to make sure it stays evenly moistened.
What to do Once the Carrot Seeds Sprout
When to Plant Carrot Seeds
Carrot seeds can be planted in early spring, with the last sowing in late summer. This means you will grow a new row of carrots every 1 – 2 weeks. It will result in a harvest of fresh carrots for most of the year in zones where the ground doesn’t freeze too hard. As long as the carrots get full sun and the ground is not frozen, they will grow because they are cold- hardy plants. Now, if you live in a USDA hardiness zone that gets snow, you may need to use a cover to provide for a longer growing season. You can find your USDA Hardiness Zone here if you’re unfamiliar with it.
When to Harvest Your Carrots
There are many carrot varieties to choose from when picking your carrot seeds. Most varieties take between 70 and 80 days to grow. To be sure, check our seed package to see the estimated growth time. The general rule of thumb is to harvest your carrots when they are 1 to 1 1/2″ in diameter.
To harvest your carrots and avoid breaking them, I recommend loosening the soil around them with a shovel. Once the soil is loose, you should be able to pull the plant, and the carrot will come out. Carrots are one of the root crops, so they are going to be very dirty when they are harvested, but they wash easily. When washing the carrots, use cold water.
How to Store Carrots
You can store your harvested carrots in many different ways.
- As a whole fresh carrot – To do this, you will take a crate or box and place some slightly damp sawdust in it, then a single layer of carrots, more sawdust, repeating these layers as needed. Place your carrots in a cool, dark, and dry place. I store mine in a root cellar, in old milk crates.
- Canned carrots – The Ball Canning Book has a great recipe for canning carrots. Once you have canned your carrots, you can remove the rings from the jars and store them in a cool, dark place. I had created an all inclusive step-by-step canning guide to help you get started on your next canning adventure. You can grab your copy at below!
- Freeze carrots – The book Freeze Fresh: The Ultimate Guide to Preserving 55 Fruits and Vegetables for Maximum Flavor and Versatility provides a great guide for freezing carrots.
Now it is your turn to try to grow some carrots! Share your experiences, tips, and questions in the comments below! Remember to subscribe to our blog for more homesteading tips and gardening advice.
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2 thoughts on “How long does it take carrots to germinate?”
I just want to say I love watching you on Utube. You gave me the inspiration to start canning. I ordered my first fruit canner & excited to get it! For your onion cutting tears! Try putting a saltine or Ritz cracker in your mouth. Do not eat it, just hold in there while cutting. It works! In regards to garlic bread. I live in Eastern Michigan & we eat garlic bread with pasta dishes! It’s not just a Canadian thing. Lol
Hi Christina!
I am so excited for you and your future canning endeavors! I hope you fall in love with it! Thank you for he onion cutting tips. Thank you so much for following the LMR channel!