Carrots are taproots, so sow them directly where they will grow. Transplanting bends or damages the developing root.
- Choose loose, well-drained soil without many stones or compacted lumps. A soil test can guide pH and fertilizer decisions.
- Follow the packet for depth and timing. The tiny seeds can take up to three weeks to emerge, and the surface must stay gently moist without becoming waterlogged or crusted.
- A commercial seed tape—or the flour-and-water seed-tape activity—can make the seeds easier to space.
- When the largest seedlings are 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) tall, thin them so the roots have room. Many varieties finish about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) apart; use the packet for the final spacing.
- Keep the soil evenly moist. Drought can produce tough, bitter, split, or misshapen roots.
Carrots can be harvested at any useful size. Loosen firm soil beside the root before pulling so it does not snap. Remove the tops for storage, and scrub the roots under cool running water before preparing them.
Carrots can be orange, purple, red, yellow, or white. Their roots belong to the same plant family as parsley, dill, and fennel.