How To Grow Carrots From Seed Step By Step [ Complete Guide ]

Carrots are root vegetables that are found in many colors, including, orange, white, yellow, purple, red. The most common color is the orange carrots. 

The orange carrots get their bright color from beta carotene, an antioxidant that your body converts into vitamin A. The red carrots contain lycopene which fights cancer and prevents cardiovascular diseases. These carrots enhance the culinary appeal of any salad. 

The white carrots contain phytochemicals. These carrots are delicious when added to soups and casseroles. Yellow carrots are rich in beta carotene and vitamin A.

 Yellow carrots are sweeter than orange carrots. Purple carrots are rich in anthocyanins which have a myriad for health benefits. There are five main types of carrots, namely, Chantenay, Danvers, Nantes, Baby, and Imperator carrots.

    Carrot is a source of beta-carotene, fiber, potassium and antioxidants. Carrots are used for cooking, to make salad and it is also medicinal. It's used to reduce the risk of cancer, lower blood cholesterol,weight loss, eye health.carrots are originated from Central Asia.

How to grow carrots

   Carrots are mostly grown in cool season in sunny areas with fertile , deep , and well drained soils rich in organic matter. Before planting carrots determine the soil type and fertilizer needed for the carrots to grow well. Growing carrots starts with planting of seeds.

 When planting the seeds, put on the soil surface and cover it with manure. These seeds takes 2 to 3 weeks to germinate. These seeds germinate well when the temperature is about 75F to 80F. When the temperature is above 80F , it reduces seeds germination . 

The seeds are ready for planting when it has germinate 3-4 leaves. The seeded carrots should be planted in rows, deep to the depth of 2 -3cm, spaced out between 15-20cm apart from each other. Carrots takes about 3-4 months to be mature 

     Watering of the carrots will depend on the soil type. When the soil is dry, water regularly. This will help keep a uniform and moist soil surface that will help the carrots to grow well. Mulch the plant around to preserve the soil moisture

Soil Control And Fertilizer 

     To make your carrots to grow well, apply 1/4 cup of nitrogen-base fertilizer. This fertilizer will make the carrots to grow rapidly. As always, it’s important to know when to plant crops for the best germination rates and overall success of the crop. 

Carrots are known as a cool weather, or cool season crop, meaning they can be planted in the early spring once soil temperatures reach about 50 degrees F

Seed germination occurs best when the soil temperature is between 55 and 75 degrees F.

Problems With Growing Carrots

However, most other problems won't be apparent until harvest time. If you pull your first carrots only to find they have forked or twisted roots, the problem almost certainly lies in your soil condition.

 Stones, sticks, and other solid objects will force the root to grow around them, resulting in disappointingly deformed shapes. Remove as much bulky matter as you can before sowing.

Also, avoid adding manure or compost to your soil unless it is fully rotted down. Even then, make sure to mix it in thoroughly. Any changes in texture that the growing root encounters will force it off the straight and narrow.

Harvesting Carrots

   Carrots takes 3-4 months to be mature. To harvest your carrots, you needs a digging fork to loosen the soil. When the soil has been loosened, pull out the plant then wash the roots and store it. 

The best temperature for storing of carrots should be between 32-40 degree F and at 90-95% humidity. Carrots can be stored in refrigerator, moist sand and in the garden.

     To conclude, carrot is a root vegetable that are consumed all over the world. It can be consumed raw or cooked.

 Carrots are found in many different colors, including white, red, purple, orange, and yellow.

 Carrots are very helpful to the body as it helps to reduce cancer, lowering blood cholesterol, weight loss and it also keeps the eye healthy.

 Carrots are cultivated for home consumption and commercial purposes.

Conclusion

Carrots have a long germination time, sometimes taking up to three weeks. Because of this, it’s easy to let too much time between waterings go by, allowing the soil to dry out and slowing or ruining the germination.

With a slightly thicker layer of soil over your carrot seeds, the soil will stay moist longer, and the seeds will have less chance of shifting or getting blown or washed away.