How to grow carrots

Carrots are sown straight into loose soil, kept moist until they sprout, then thinned. Patience pays.

Reviewed October 2026

Sow outside

When soil reaches 60°F

Seed depth

1/4 in

Thin to

2–3 in apart

Days to harvest

70–95

When to plant

Sow carrots directly in the garden once the soil reaches about 60°F. They don't transplant well. In many areas a second sowing in mid to late summer gives a fall crop.

Sowing and thinning

• Work the soil deeply and remove stones, so roots grow straight.
• Sow seed only about 1/4 inch deep, in rows 18 to 36 inches apart.
• Keep the surface moist until seedlings appear. A crust on dry soil can stop them breaking through.
• Thin seedlings to 2 to 3 inches apart. Crowded carrots stay small and twisted.

Harvest

Carrots are ready 70 to 95 days from sowing, depending on variety. Pull one to check the size, and water the bed the day before so they come up easily.

Planting dates in Florida