How to grow carrots?

Carrot is a common root vegetable belonging to the Apiaceae family, with a growth cycle usually ranging from 70 to 120 days, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Let’s learn how to grow carrots.

1. Reasonably arrange the planting time

Although carrots can be planted in spring, summer, and fall, special care is required when planting in fall. For example, the Northeast region may start in late June, while northern regions such as Shandong, Hebei, and Henan will start in late July to August, and southern regions such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang will start around August. The planting time should be determined according to the local climate and the growth cycle of carrots. It usually takes about 100-110 days from sowing to harvesting.

2. Soil Preparation

Since the fleshy roots of carrots grow in the soil, the soil needs to be loose and well-ventilated. Before planting, the soil should be deep plowed at least 20 cm to facilitate the growth of fleshy roots downwards. If the soil is compacted, fleshy roots will have difficulty extending, which may cause the roots to become short, thick, or forked.

3. Reasonable fertilization

Carrot cultivation requires fertilizer , but uncomposted organic fertilizer should not be used to avoid causing pests and diseases or damaging the root system. When applying fertilizer, it should be applied deeply or mixed with the soil to avoid applying the fertilizer too shallowly or too close to the seeds and roots to prevent the fleshy roots from becoming short or forked. Applying an appropriate amount of wood ash as base fertilizer can help root and rhizome growth, prevent diseases and pests, and improve carrot quality.

4. Ridge planting

Carrots are best grown on ridges, which helps loosen and aerate the soil while increasing soil thickness. The ridge spacing is about 50-60 cm, and two rows are planted on each ridge. Carrots planted on ridges not only grow straight and long, but also have a yield that is more than 20% higher than those planted on flat ground.

5. Management before and after emergence

After sowing and before germination, the soil should be kept moist and can be covered with straw mats or weeds to keep it moist. After germination, thinning should be done in time to ensure that there is enough growing space between plants to avoid crowding that affects growth.

Carrot is a widely grown vegetable, and its planting time varies from region to region, starting as early as late June to July and as late as August to September. The above are key planting techniques for improving carrot yield and quality, and growers should apply them flexibly according to actual conditions.