Carrots are one of the most satisfying crops to grow from seed — sweet, crunchy, and far superior to shop-bought when freshly pulled from your own soil.
Founder & Head Grower, SoilCommander · RHS Level 2 · 12+ years growing in Yorkshire
I’ve been growing vegetables on my Yorkshire allotment and raised beds since 2012. Everything I write is based on what I’ve actually grown, failed at, and eventually got right in a real UK climate.
Sowing Carrots in the UK
Carrots must be direct-sown — they do not transplant well. Sow thinly in drills 1cm deep and 15–30cm apart from February to June. The soil must be at least 7°C for reliable germination. Earlier sowings (February–March) work best under cloches or fleece. The RHS recommends successional sowing every 3–4 weeks for a continuous harvest.
UK Sowing & Harvest Calendar
| Task | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover | Feb – Mar | Use cloches or fleece; soil must be 7°C+ |
| Sow outdoors | Mar – Jun | Direct sow in drills; thin to 5–10cm |
| Harvest early varieties | Jun – Aug | Pull when finger-thick; sweetest when small |
| Harvest maincrop | Aug – Nov | Leave in ground until needed; frost improves flavour |
Soil Preparation
Carrots need deep, loose, stone-free soil. Heavy clay or stony ground causes forked, misshapen roots. If your soil is heavy, grow shorter varieties like Paris Market or Chantenay, or use raised beds or large containers filled with a sandy compost mix. Do not add fresh manure — it causes forking. Well-rotted compost incorporated the previous autumn is ideal.
Thinning and Spacing
Thin seedlings in two stages: first to 2–3cm, then to a final spacing of 5–10cm once plants are established. Thin in the evening when carrot fly is less active, and firm the soil around remaining plants to deter the pest. Avoid leaving thinnings on the soil surface — the foliage scent attracts carrot fly.
Carrot Fly
Carrot fly is the most serious carrot pest in the UK. The larvae tunnel into roots, causing orange-brown scarring. The adult fly is low-flying — a 60–75cm high barrier of fine mesh or fleece around the bed is highly effective. Choose resistant varieties such as Flyaway or Resistafly for additional protection.
Top UK Varieties
Nantes 2
Cylindrical, sweet, and reliable. The classic UK allotment carrot. Good for most soils.
Paris Market
Round, stumpy roots — ideal for shallow or stony soil. Ready quickly from successional sowings.
Flyaway
Bred for carrot fly resistance. Good flavour and reliable yields. Excellent for exposed plots.
Chantenay Red Cored
Short, stout roots that perform well in heavier soils. Sweet, tender, and stores well.
Harvesting
Pull early carrots when finger-thick (from June). Maincrop carrots can remain in the ground until needed — frost actually improves sweetness by converting starches to sugars. Lift before the ground freezes hard. Twist off foliage before storing in boxes of damp sand in a cool, frost-free shed.
Plan Every Crop, Every Month
The SoilCommander UK Vegetable Garden Planner includes successional sowing schedules for carrots and 40+ other crops.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Why are my carrots forked or misshapen?
Almost always caused by stony or heavy soil, fresh manure, or overcrowding. Improve soil structure, remove stones, use shorter varieties, and thin properly.
How do I prevent carrot fly?
Erect a 60–75cm barrier of fine mesh or fleece around the bed. Thin in the evening, remove thinnings, and firm the soil around remaining plants. Choose resistant varieties like Flyaway.
When can I start sowing carrots in the UK?
From February under cloches, or from March outdoors once the soil reaches 7°C. Successional sowings every 3–4 weeks until June give a continuous harvest.
Browse sowing dates for all crops in the UK vegetable planting calendar or explore all UK vegetable growing guides.
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.