Growing sweet, crunchy homegrown carrots is easy when you plant them in raised garden beds. Raised beds provide the loose, nutrient-rich soil carrots need to form their tapered roots. Follow this beginner’s guide for tips on planting, caring for and harvesting bumper crops of carrots from a raised bed.
Benefits of Raised Beds for Carrots
Raised garden beds offer many advantages for growing carrots:
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Loose, friable soil carrots can penetrate Native compacted soils often impede root growth.
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Good drainage Standing water causes carrots to rot Raised beds improve drainage.
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Easier planting and harvesting. Raised beds eliminate the need to bend down.
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Protection from tunneling pests like voles that eat roots
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Warmer spring soil for better germination. The loose mix heats up quicker.
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Weed prevention. Loose soil dries out faster, deterring weeds.
Getting Your Raised Bed Ready
Follow these tips to prepare your raised bed for carrots:
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Build or fill your bed with at least 12 inches of loose, organic soil mix. Carrots need deep roots.
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Incorporate 2-3 inches of aged compost into the top layer to enrich the soil. Avoid using fresh manure that could burn tender roots.
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Rake the bed smooth, remove debris like rocks or sticks, and lightly tamp the surface.
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Consider adding organic granular fertilizer formulated for root crops by working into the soil per package instructions.
When to Plant Carrots
Carrots thrive in cool conditions. Determine the best planting times based on where you live:
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Northern gardens: Sow 4-6 weeks before your last average spring frost for summer harvest. Plant again in late summer for fall harvest.
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Southern gardens: Sow in late winter for spring roots. Plant again in fall for winter harvest.
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Mild coastal climates: Sow carrots in fall through early spring for winter and spring harvests.
Avoid sowing carrots during hot mid-summer weather when germination is spotty.
How to Plant Carrot Seeds
Follow these steps for planting carrots from seed in your raised bed:
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Moisten soil before planting. Carrot seeds need consistently damp soil to germinate.
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Sprinkle seeds thinly in rows or scatter them across the bed.
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Cover seeds with 1/4 inch of fine soil or compost. Don’t bury too deeply.
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Water gently to moisten soil after planting.
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Consider placing floating row cover over the bed to retain moisture during germination.
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Mark rows with popsicle sticks or seed tape so you remember where carrots are planted.
Ongoing Care of Carrot Beds
Once planted, carrots need little care beyond these tasks:
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Water beds regularly with 1 inch of water weekly. Irrigate slowly and deeply.
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Once seedlings emerge, thin overcrowded plants to 1-3 inches apart. Do this in stages.
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Loosen soil gently with a hand fork every 2-3 weeks to prevent surface crusting.
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Apply more compost around plants as a nutritious side dressing.
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Weed carefully by hand to avoid damaging shallow carrot roots.
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Use row covers or mulch to maintain cool soil temperatures in summer.
When Carrots Are Ready to Harvest
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Baby carrots can be picked when roots reach 1/2 inch diameter. These are tender and sweet.
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Mature carrots are ready in about 2-3 months. Time varies by variety.
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Indicators carrots are ready include ample leafy tops and sizable shoulders protruding above soil.
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Gently loosen soil with a digging fork before pulling carrots by their tops.
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Twist off leafy tops, leaving about an inch of stems. Refrigerate unwashed carrots in plastic bags.
Tips for Continual Harvests
Consider these tips for ongoing carrot harvests from your raised bed:
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Succession plant carrots in small batches every 2-3 weeks for a steady supply.
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Interplant quick and slower growing varieties together.
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Protect carrots under cloches or cold frames in late fall or early spring to extend the growing season.
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Mulch beds thickly before hard frosts to allow harvesting carrots into winter months.
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Overwinter some carrots underground under 1-2 feet of protective mulch.
Best Carrot Varieties for Raised Beds
Good options for raised beds include:
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Mokum – Sweet variety perfect for containers. Roots mature in 68 days.
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Little Finger – Early variety with tender, petite roots. Ready in 60 days.
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Scarlet Nantes – Bright orange roots grow 7 inches long. Matures in 68 days.
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Gold Pak – Sweet, bright yellow roots. Ready to eat in 65 days.
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Purple Haze – Striking purple-and-orange-streaked roots. Matures in 70 days.
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Atomic Red – Vibrant red-pigmented roots. Ready in 60 days.
Try a few different carrot varieties to discover your favorites to grow year after year.
Common Issues and Solutions
Here are some potential issues and how to resolve them:
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Poor germination – Ensure soil stays moist. Cover beds with fabric row cover.
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Misshapen roots – Loosen soil regularly so carrots can penetrate. Avoid compacted soils.
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Wilting/rotting – Don’t overwater. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings.
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Pests – Use row covers to discourage carrot rust fly maggots, slugs and snails.
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Bolting – Plant suitable varieties and maintain cool soil temperatures.
Enjoy Your Freshly Harvested Carrots
Now that you know how to skillfully grow carrots in a raised bed, you can look forward to neon orange roots, purple, red, yellow and white varieties, sweet tender baby carrots and more. Harvesting your homegrown carrots fresh from the garden is sure to get kids excited about vegetables. Adults will also love the convenience of having carrots close at hand. Grab a few to snack on right in the garden!
Planting Awesome Carrots in Raised Bed!
FAQ
Do carrots grow well in raised beds?
How deep of a raised bed for carrots?
Do carrots like sun or shade?
What not to plant carrots with?
How do you plant carrots in a raised bed?
While preparing the soil in your raised bed for planting carrots, make sure to remove any rocks, soil clumps and other debris in the bed. The first 12 inches of soil in your carrot bed should be fine and loose, so as not to impede the growing roots of your carrot plants.
How much soil should be in a carrot bed?
The first 12 inches of soil in your carrot bed should be fine and loose, so as not to impede the growing roots of your carrot plants. The type of soil medium that you create in your raised bed is very important when it comes to cultivating carrots. The perfect blend is a mix of soil, well-rotted animal manure, and compost.
Can carrots grow in raised beds?
Yes, carrots grow amazingly in raised beds. Carrots are a great crop to grow in raised beds because they are relatively easy and they taste great! Raised beds typically have loose, well-draining soil that is ideal for growing carrots. What Are the Best Carrots to Grow in Raised Beds?
How deep should a raised bed be for carrots?
A raised bed should be at least 12 inches deep to grow good long carrots. Carrots typically need about two to three inches of soil above them, so a 12-inch deep raised bed will give you plenty of room to grow healthy carrots. When Should I Plant Carrots in A Raised Bed? Carrots can be planted in the spring or fall, depending on your climate.
