Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
Carrots are a dependable cool-season root crop for coastal subtropical gardens. Fine soil preparation, direct sowing and steady moisture during germination are the keys to straight, well-shaped roots.
Overview
At a Glance
Peak Planting Window
April to September
Seasonal Role
Cool-season root crop
Difficulty
Moderate
Planting Method
Direct sow
First Harvest
10–16 weeks
Sun
Full sun
Water
Moderate
Heat Tolerance
Moderate
Humidity Tolerance
Moderate
Family
Apiaceae
Category
Vegetable
Planting Calendar
Monthly Planting Guide
Month-by-month suitability for coastal subtropical Australia.
Rationale
Why This Planting Window
Carrots produce their best roots during the cooler months, when mild soil temperatures support steady growth, good colour and a sweeter flavour. Autumn and winter sowings also face less heat stress and are less likely to develop coarse or misshapen roots.
Reference
Growing Information
Lifecycle
Biennial grown as an annual
Ideal Soil Temperature
10–24°C
Germination
10–21 days
Transplant Ready
Not recommended
Soil
Loose, fine, well-drained soil free from stones and fresh manure
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Plant Spacing
3–5 cm after thinning
Row Spacing
20–30 cm
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
In the garden
Plant Care
Feeding
Prepare the bed with mature compost before sowing. Avoid fresh manure and excessive nitrogen, which can encourage forked roots and leafy growth at the expense of root development.
Watering Guidance
Keep the top layer of soil consistently moist during germination. Once established, water evenly and deeply enough to support straight root growth without allowing the soil to become waterlogged.
Avoid Nearby
- Avoid sowing into recently manured soil or beside crops that heavily shade the bed.
Watch out for
Problems & Prevention
Common Pests
Carrot rust fly, aphids, cutworms and root-knot nematodes.
Common Diseases
Leaf blight, damping off and root rots in poorly drained soil.
Common Mistakes
Transplanting seedlings, sowing too deeply, allowing the seedbed to dry during germination, failing to thin seedlings and using stony or freshly manured soil.
Picking
Harvest
First Harvest
10–16 weeks
Harvest Window
Harvest progressively once roots reach the preferred size
Harvest Indicators
Harvest when the tops of the roots reach the expected diameter and show good colour at the soil line. Loosen the soil before pulling to avoid breaking the roots.
Standard
SGGS Details
Subtropical Gardener Growing Standard — profile metadata.
- SGGS Code
- VEG007
- Version
- 1
- Confidence
- High
- Seasonal Role
- Cool-season root crop
- Crop Champion Month
- June
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