You want to start a garden this year but don’t know where to start. Have you had trouble growing carrots in the past? Read these tips to learn how to do it right! libsyn. com/journeywithjill/295_-_Carrots-_Beginners_Starter_Guide_unedited. mp3″ artist=”Jill McSheehy” title = “Carrots: Beginners Starter Guide”].
Growing crisp, sweet carrots in raised beds is a fun and rewarding way for beginner gardeners to add fresh produce to their table. Carrots thrive in the loose, fertile soil provided by raised beds, allowing their tapered roots to develop fully. With some planning and care throughout the growing season, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of homegrown carrots.
Why Grow Carrots in Raised Beds?
Raised beds provide the ideal environment for growing straight healthy carrots. Here are some of the key benefits
-
Improved drainage – Raised beds allow excess moisture to drain away, preventing soggy soil that can cause carrots to crack or rot. Plants like consistent moisture but not waterlogged conditions.
-
Loose, fertile soil – The loose soil mix used in raised beds gives carrots the room they need to extend their taproots downwards without hitting dense layers or large rocks
-
Weed suppression – Raised beds elevate plants above surrounding pathways, helping limit weed encroachment. Fewer weeds means less competition for carrots.
-
Convenience – Working at waist height reduces back strain compared to ground-level beds Raised beds also warm earlier in spring for an earlier start
Getting Started with Raised Bed Carrots
When preparing to plant carrots, keep these tips in mind:
Choose an Appropriately Sized Raised Bed
Carrots require deep beds, at least 12 inches in height. Shorter containers or beds will restrict root development, resulting in stubby carrots. Build your frame tall enough or select a sufficiently deep planter.
Ensure Good Drainage
Carrots need consistently moist soil but will rot if waterlogged for too long. Wood framed raised beds and fabric grow bags naturally drain well. For other materials, add drainage holes before filling with soil.
Fill with Loose, Nutrient-Rich Soil
Use a light potting mix or blend equal parts compost, vermiculite, and peat moss or coconut coir. Mix in a balanced organic fertilizer following package directions. Loose soil enables long, straight roots.
How to Plant Carrots in a Raised Bed
With your raised bed prepared, it’s time to plant! Follow these steps for success:
Direct Sow Seeds
Carrots dislike being transplanted. Sow seeds directly in the raised bed where they will grow. Plan for thorough thinning later to avoid overcrowding.
Plant in Early Spring or Late Summer
Carrots thrive in cool weather. In warm climates, plant fall/winter crops. Elsewhere, sow in early spring after the last frost or in late summer for fall harvests.
Space Rows 4-6 Inches Apart
Sow seeds in rows spaced several inches apart to allow room for leaves to fill in. This spacing also enables air circulation to minimize disease.
Sow Seeds 1⁄4-1⁄2 Inch Deep
Carrot seeds are small! Plant them just shallowly beneath the soil surface. Pat down gently to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
Use Row Covers for Faster Germination
Row covers hold in warmth and moisture. Drape over seeded rows to boost soil temperature and retain moisture for quicker, more uniform germination.
Water Frequently After Planting
Consistent moisture is vital for carrot seed germination. Gently water after planting and keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge.
Caring for Carrots in Raised Beds
Patience and attentive care will ensure your growing carrots remain healthy and on track for a bountiful harvest.
Thin Carrots to Proper Spacing
Thin overcrowded seedlings to 2-4 inches apart. Doing so allows roots ample space to size up. Thin in multiple stages as plants grow.
Weed Regularly
Weed carefully around carrots to eliminate competition, especially while plants are small. Avoid damaging tender roots.
Irrigate Deeply and Consistently
Carrots need at least 1 inch of water weekly from rain or irrigation. Drip irrigation provides moisture at root level; soak the entire root zone.
Fertilize Lightly
Too much nitrogen spurs leafy tops but stunted roots. A balanced organic fertilizer applied at planting time is typically sufficient nourishment.
Hill Soil Over Exposed Shoulders
If shoulders begin peeking through before roots mature, hill over with additional soil to prevent green shoulders.
Harvesting Homegrown Carrots
Looking for some signs your carrots are ready to pick? Watch for these:
-
Days to maturity listed on the seed packet have passed
-
Carrot tops look full and healthy
-
Shoulders are 3⁄4 to 1 inch wide emerging from the soil
-
Taproot color is bright and vivid
When the time comes, loosen soil with a fork then gently pull carrots up by the tops. Rinse, trim tops, and store promptly in the fridge.
Enjoying Your Raised Bed Carrots
The sweet, crisp flavor of just-picked carrots is hard to beat. Enjoy them:
- Raw with dips or in salads
- Lightly steamed as a side dish
- Roasted with olive oil, salt, and spices
- Added to soups, stews, and casseroles
- Juiced or blended into smoothies
With proper care throughout the season, your raised bed carrots will reward you with a bountiful harvest. Plant some every year for garden-fresh eating!
Where Should You Plant Carrots?
Rich, loose soil. Carrots like very loose soil to grow in. A raised bed with added compost for extra nutrients is always a good place. While I’ve never fertilized my carrots, adding in compost is usually a great benefit.
Full sun. They do like to have at least 6 hours of sun per day. I have not found that shade helps to keep them from bolting or helps them to grow better. Carrots can also be ground in ground beds, containers or in a GreenStalk Vertical Planter. (use my affiliate code JILL10 for $10 off off your purchase of $75+)
When Should Carrots be Grown?
Carrots are a cool weather crop, they can be grown in both spring and fall. That’s because they can handle frosts (which can happen below 40 degrees F) and freezes (anything at or just below 32 degrees F). That’s why they are ideal for spring and fall gardens.
Carrots do not like to grow in heat. Some types will begin to bolt when the temperature consistently stays above 90 degrees. When they start to bolt, you should pay attention to how big the greens are above the ground. Normally the greens stay at around 12 inches tall. When the carrot begins to bolt, a central stalk grows taller than the rest of the greens. Learn more about bolting here.
Even if your carrots don’t go bad in the heat, remember that the outside temperature makes the carrot taste stronger. It won’t be as sweet as when grown in cooler weather. That’s why fall and winter carrots are known to be the most flavorful.
How To Grow Carrots | Raised Bed Gardening | Fall Planting
FAQ
How deep do raised beds need to be for carrots?
What not to plant near carrots?
Vegetables
|
Herbs
|
Field beans
|
Lovage
|
Chervil
|
Mint
|
Horseradish
|
Parsley
|
Parsnip
|
|
What is the secret to growing carrots?