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Daucus carota
Carrot
| A vegetable garden favorite, high in vitamin A, Carrots produce a lot of food in a small space. A 20-foot row feeds 4 people. Good, deep sandy soil is essential in growing good Carrots. If you have shallow, rocky or clay soil, plant in containers or raised beds, or use short-rooted or baby varieties. Begin sowing seed in early spring and continue at 3-week intervals so you can harvest several crops. Carrots do not like temperatures above 85º F, so time sowings to avoid the hottest part of summer. In mild winter areas, sow Carrots from late summer through spring or fall, winter and spring harvest. Cover seeds with ¼ to ½ inches of sandy soil or vermiculite. Thin edible seedlings to 2 inches apart, and protect from Aster leafhopper. Do not fertilize with manure. Keep soil moist as infrequent watering causes carrots to split. Depending on the variety, harvest is 30 to 80 days after sowing. Finger-sized Carrots are the most tender, but nearly mature Carrots are sweeter. |
In shallow soil, use half-long types like 'Nantes'. For containers, try miniature varieties such as 'Amstel' or 'Short and Sweet'. Watch out for old carrots -- they are tough!
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Attributes - Daucus carota
Plant Type: Vegetable
Height: 6 in. to 1 ft.
Width: 6 in.
Sunlight: Full Sun
Climate: Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Notes: Edible.
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Related Plants
Daucus carota sativus
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