Wondering what to plant right now? Why not try a perennial favorite – carrots. This versatile root vegetable can be planted now for winter harvest. Whether you plant multicolored heirloom carrots or grocery store staple orange, now is the perfect time to plant. If you continue to sow seeds every few weeks you can harvest for a few months; carrots can even tolerate a light frost. However, they do best if planted when soil temperature is around 72^oF.

Where to plant

To maximize your harvest, pick the right spot to plant. Because carrots are a root vegetable, you will need soil that is loose enough for the root to grow down. If your garden site has a lot of clay or sand you can amend the soil by adding organic material such as compost, manure, or leaf mold and working it into the top several inches of the planting area. Or plant in raised beds that are a mix of 1/2 native soil and half organic material. You also want optimum sunlight, which is at least 4 to 6 hours per day.

Planting seeds

Carrots don't transplant well so they must be directly seeded in the ground. Don't expect every seed to sprout; you will have some that don't germinate, and a few will be lost to pests. Carrot seeds are small. Scatter a few seeds on moist soil every few inches and cover lightly with soil, not more than a ¼”, for best germination. Keep the surface moist while seeds germinate; you should see seedlings in 6-14 days depending on the weather and the variety of carrot you plant.

Once the seedlings emerge you will need to thin them. For me this is the hardest part of gardening, removing perfectly good seedlings to give others the chance to grow. But it is especially important with root crops like carrots because leaving too many seedlings causes them to compete for limited nutrients and space and results in a poor crop. So, toughen up, identify the hardiest seedlings, and thin them to a minimum of ¾ inch apart to as much as 2 inches apart depending on anticipated root size. Pulling them can disrupt nearby seedlings so cutting them at ground level can be a better option. If you can't bring yourself to do it, do like I do and pretend the ones you are thinning are weeds. Check back at least weekly and remove any late sprouting seedlings.

Young seedlings are fragile and should be watered using the mist option on your hose nozzle or with a drip system. Only light watering is needed. Once your plants are past the seedling stage the important growing occurs beneath the soil so make sure the soil is moist throughout the root zone.

Fertilizing

Carrots use a lot of nutrients and can benefit from a light application of fertilizer. Use a fertilizer with a balanced amount of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) such as 5-10-5, 5-10-10 or 12-12-12. Follow manufacturer recommendations on the amount and method to apply as it will vary based on the amount of NPK per pound of product. More fertilizer can be applied while plants are growing, generally starting after plants are 3-4 inches tall. Add to the sides of the row and water in or apply through your drip system. Light application every 3-4 weeks is preferred to one heavy application.

At last, harvest

Most varieties of carrots are ready to harvest 90 days after planting. Harvesting too early yields undersized carrots that may not have the flavor and texture you were hoping for. If left in the ground for too long they will become tough and may crack. Check the root size by digging the soil around the carrot and harvest when they are the size you want.

Read more about carrots in the following UC IPM publication

Cultural Tips for Growing Carrots:  https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/carrot/cultural-tips/index.html?src=307-pageViewHLS

Barbara Kissinger Santos has been a UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener in Stanislaus County since 2024.