In many places around the country, you can direct sow carrots from early spring.
Article written by Elly Keen.
In spring, the soil is warming up and we can start direct sowing again.
Before you sow any seeds, I encourage you to do a quick Spring Garden Planting Plan to ensure you’re not over sowing (something that I can be guilty of from time to time!).
In early spring, I will be directly sowing carrot, radish and peas in my Wellington garden.
Carrots are a crop that can be tricky to germinate – so here are some tips to help you on your way.
Direct sowing carrots
- Clear the sowing area of weeds.
- Add a layer of compost or garden mix to the surface.
- Water thoroughly.
- Use a bamboo stick to create lines in the soil and evenly distribute the seeds.
- Cover the seed with vermiculite or a light layer of soil.
- Water thoroughly using a watering can or mist setting on the hose to ensure you do not dislodge seeds.
- For carrot seeds, cover with a piece of cardboard – this is a critical step to keep the area moist until germination occurs.
- Keep watered and do not let the area dry out – carrot seed is very susceptible to drying out and perishing quickly due to the lack of water.
- Once the seeds begin to germinate, you can remove the cardboard. You may choose to protect the seeds with netting or a cloche at this stage to stop birds digging in the soil for worms and damaging the tiny seedlings.
I encourage you to leave at least one carrot plant to flower and run to seed. Firstly, the pollinators love the umbel carrot flowers but secondly, freshly harvested carrot seed will be easier to germinate in your garden next time.
