Carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus
📖 About this plant
A popular cool-season root vegetable producing tapered, orange, yellow, purple, red, or white roots rich in beta-carotene, vitamins A and K, and fiber. Carrots are biennials typically grown as annuals, harvested when roots reach desired size. They become sweeter after light frosts. Baby carrots can be harvested in as little as 50 days while main crop varieties need 65-80 days.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun (6-8 hrs)
Every 2-3 days
Moderate (40-60%)
10-26°C
Deep, loose, sandy loam free of rocks and clods; pH 5.5-6.5. Compacted or rocky soil causes forked, stunted roots
Low to moderate nitrogen fertilizer (carrots are light feeders); excess nitrogen causes hairy, forked roots; phosphorus and potassium more important for root development
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran
- 📏 Max height
- Foliage 30-60 cm; root length 10-30+ cm depending on variety
- 📐 Spread
- 15-30 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Pink
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green, Lacy
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Biennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic edible roots and leaves; all parts safe. Carrot greens are edible and nutritious though not commonly consumed
- 🌱 Propagation
- Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in early spring or late summer; seeds are slow to germinate (10-21 days); thin to 3-5 cm apart; keep soil consistently moist during germination
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic edible roots and leaves; all parts safe. Carrot greens are edible and nutritious though not commonly consumed
Common issues
- Forked or stunted roots in compacted or rocky soil, Carrot rust fly larvae tunneling in roots, Splitting from uneven watering, Aster leafhopper transmitting aster yellows disease
💡 Care tips
- Sow seeds directly in loose sandy soil,Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart to avoid crowding,Keep soil consistently moist for uniform growth,HARVEST when orange tops are visible at soil surface
