Carrot (Daucus carota)
7 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early February to early July
- Ready in
- 65–112 days
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 6–6.5
- Biggest risk
- Alternaria leaf blight
In the UK, carrots go in the ground early February to early July, and are ready to harvest 65–112 days after planting.
Carrots (Daucus carota) — Biennial (grown as an annual for its root).
This crop carries an unusually heavy problem load: 2 diseases, 4 pests and 0 nutrient issues are documented for it, so most of the effort in growing it well goes into prevention.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Watch: Growing Carrots at Home
A quick SoilCommander video on growing carrots at home in UK conditions — sowing, spacing, care and harvest in under a minute.
Diseases
Pests
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6 - 6.5 |
| Sunlight | 6-6 hours direct sun |
| Germination temp | 13C |
| Optimal growing temp | 15-24C |
| Minimum survivable temp | -1C |
| Time to harvest | 65-112 days |
| Soil texture | Clemson: "good-textured, loamy or sandy soil that is free of stones and clods". RHS: stony, shallow or heavy clay soil causes misshapen roots; long-rooted varieties suit deep sandy soil. |
| Drainage | Well-drained soil (RHS). |
| Lifecycle | Biennial (grown as an annual for its root). |
| Edible parts | roots |
At a Glance
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | early February to early July |
| Midlands derived | early February to early July |
| Northern England | early March to early July |
| Scotland | early March to early July |
Rows marked derived are interpolated between regions our sources do state, because no source we consulted gives a figure for that region specifically. They are deliberately wider to reflect that uncertainty.
Southern England - detail & sources
RHS: sow outdoors from April to early July (main season), or from February-March with cloches or fleece for an early crop; sow in small batches every 3-4 weeks for continuous harvests. Southern England has the UK's earliest soil-warming per Met Office, so the earliest end of the cloche-sowing window applies here.
Midlands - detail & sources
DERIVED: interpolated about a week later than southern England for the earliest cloche-protected sowing, following RHS's Feb-July sowing method and the Met Office's documented south-to-north soil-warming gradient.
Northern England - detail & sources
RHS: sow outdoors April to early July, with an earlier cloche-protected option further south. Met Office notes soil-warming and last-frost dates extend later further north, so the standard April start is used rather than the southern cloche-earliest date.
Scotland - detail & sources
RHS: sow outdoors April to early July. Scotland gets the UK's latest soil-warming per Met Office, so the standard April start is used rather than the southern cloche-earliest date.
Soil & Growing Conditions
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing & germination | 0 | Sow direct where plants are to grow — carrots resent transplanting. Make a shallow drill about 1cm (½in) deep, water the base, and sow seed as thinly as possible, spacing rows 15–30cm (6–12in) apart. The main sowing window is April to early July, with early crops from February–March under cloches or fleece; sowing after mid-May helps dodge the first carrot fly generation. Germination is slow (often 2–3 weeks) and needs soil above about 7°C, ideally around 13°C — keep the drill moist until seedlings emerge. |
| Thinning & leaf growth | 3 | Once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to 5–7.5cm (2–3in) apart — overcrowding produces small, distorted roots. Thin on a still, damp evening and remove the thinnings, as crushed foliage releases the scent that attracts carrot fly. Keep beds weed-free, since carrots are poor competitors, and water only in prolonged dry spells (a good soak every fortnight); young plants are otherwise fairly drought tolerant. |
| Root swelling | 7 | The taproot swells and colours up. Aim for steady, even soil moisture: irregular watering or heavy rain after drought makes roots split, while excess moisture near harvest can cause cracking. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which encourage forking and leafy tops at the expense of the root. Keep insect-proof mesh in place against carrot fly, whose larvae tunnel into the swelling roots. |
| Maturity & harvest | 8 | Lift carrots as soon as they are large enough to use — earlies from around 65 days, maincrop from about 10–16 weeks (65–112 days). Ease off watering as harvest approaches. Store lifted roots with the tops removed in boxes of moist sand, or leave maincrop in the ground under a straw or cardboard mulch, lifting before the soil becomes waterlogged. Cold storage near 0.6°C with high humidity keeps topped carrots for four to six months. |
Harvest & Storage
Companion Planting
Soil Preparation
Carrots need deep, loose, stone-free soil -- heavy clay or stony ground is the leading cause of forked, misshapen roots. On heavy soil, grow shorter varieties such as Paris Market or Chantenay, or use raised beds or large containers filled with a sandy compost mix. Don't add fresh manure before sowing, as it also causes forking; well-rotted compost worked in the previous autumn is a better choice.
Recommended Varieties
- Nantes 2 — cylindrical, sweet and reliable; a classic UK allotment carrot that suits most soils.
- Paris Market — round, stumpy roots ideal for shallow or stony soil; ready quickly from successional sowings.
- Flyaway — bred for carrot fly resistance, with good flavour and reliable yields; a sensible choice for exposed plots.
- Chantenay Red Cored — short, stout roots that perform well in heavier soils; sweet, tender and stores well.
Carrots Through the Season
References
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Tier 1. Primary UK source for sowing timing, depth, row spacing, thinning distance, watering, harvest and carrot fly control.
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Tier 1. US extension corroboration for sowing depth, thinning distance, days to maturity and watering.
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Tier 1. Soil texture, harvest-size trigger and cold-storage temperature/humidity and duration.
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Tier 1. Carrot fly (Psila rosae) biology and insect-proof-mesh control.
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Tier 1. Alternaria leaf blight disease cycle, favourable conditions and management.
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Tier 1. Downy mildew symptoms and cultural control.
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Tier 1. International agronomic ranges (temperature, pH).
7 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow carrots in the UK?
In southern England, from early February. In northern England and Scotland, wait until early March. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow carrots?
Sow early February to early July, at around 13°C for germination.
How long do carrots take to grow?
Typically 65–112 days, depending on cultivar and growing conditions.
What soil pH do carrots need?
A pH of about 6–6.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect carrots?
Our data links 2 diseases and 4 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
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Last verified 2026-08-04
Tools That Help With This Crop
Use these links when the guide moves from reading into sowing, planting, watering, and keeping the crop healthy.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.