Carrots are one of the most flexible crops for succession sowing — direct sow from late February through July for continuous harvests from early summer right through to winter.
Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
Ready to start growing? Read our full How to Grow Carrots UK →
Carrot Sowing & Harvest Calendar
| Sowing Time | Variety Type | Harvest Period |
|---|---|---|
| Late Feb – March (under cover) | Early varieties | June – July |
| April – May | Main crop | August – October |
| June – July | Late / Storage | October – December |
Best Time to Sow Carrots in the UK
Carrots can be sown directly outdoors from early spring through midsummer. Soil temperature should be at least 7°C for reliable germination — the RHS advises sowing only once soil reaches 7–10°C.
- Early varieties: Sow from late February to April under cloches or fleece
- Main crop varieties: Sow from April to early July for summer and autumn harvests
- Storage varieties: Sow in May–June for autumn harvest and winter storage
Regional Timing Guide
| Region | First Sowing | Main Sowing |
|---|---|---|
| South England | Late Feb (under fleece) | Late March – April |
| Midlands / Wales | Late March | April – May |
| North England | Early April | April – May |
| Scotland | Mid-April | May – June |
Key Growing Tips
- Carrot fly protection: Erect a 60cm-high fine mesh barrier — the fly cannot get over this height
- Sow thinly mixed with dry sand; thin in the evening to minimise carrot fly attraction
- Irregular watering causes splitting — keep soil consistently moist
- Stone-free soil: Remove stones thoroughly and avoid fresh manure to prevent forking
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I sow carrots outdoors in the UK?
From March onwards once soil temperature reaches 7°C. In southern England, often possible from late February with cloches. In Scotland, wait until mid-April. Sow every 2–3 weeks until July for a continuous harvest.
Why are my carrots forking?
Almost always caused by fresh manure, stones, or compacted soil. Remove stones thoroughly, avoid fresh manure, and dig deeply before sowing.
How do I prevent carrot fly?
Erect a 60cm-high fine mesh or fleece barrier. Thin seedlings in the evening and remove thinnings from site. Choose resistant varieties such as Flyaway or Resistafly.
Plan Your Carrot Sowings — and Every Other Veg
The UK Vegetable Garden Planner PDF gives you month-by-month sowing and harvest schedules for 40+ crops.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Browse all sowing dates in the UK vegetable planting calendar · Explore all UK vegetable growing guides
Plan The Timing Before You Sow
Use the planting window with a planner, seed-starting setup, and the full calendar so dates stay practical for your garden.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.