A Beginner’s Guide on Growing Carrots in Containers

Are you thinking of growing carrots in containers right at your home? You certainly can! There’s absolutely nothing like growing your own fresh vegetables and it can be both fun and infinitely rewarding at the same time.

For growing carrots in containers, all you really need is some soil, a container, some carrot seeds to get started and I promise you will be pleasantly surprised by the juicy, delicious, fresh carrots you will be able to grow right in a container.

Without further delay, let’s get started!

Growing Carrots in Containers

1. What are the best carrot varieties for containers?

First things first, choose the right variety for growing carrots in a container. There are quite a number of carrot varieties enough to make your head spin- chantenay, danvers, imperator, nantes, baby carrot & parisian being the most popular ones. I have tabulated some tasty varieties that you can choose from.

Carrot Variety	Facts	Get Seeds
Nantes (Good for beginners)	– About 6 to 7 inches long – Sweet & Crisp – Skimpy foliage – Cylindrical shape with not so pointy tip – High sugar content – Can grow in rocky soil – Ideal temperature is 45-75F – Germinates in 6 to 14 days – Matures in ~65 to 75 Days	Buy on Amazon
Chantenay	– Short & stout – About 4 to 5 inches long – Wider at the top, narrow but blunt towards the end – Heavy foliage – Pale orange in color – Good for longer storage & canning – Over mature carrots can grow a hard code – Can grow in rocky soil – Ideal temperature is 45F to 75F – Germinates in 7 to 21 days – Matures in 65 to 75 Days	Buy on Amazon
Imperator carrots	– It’s the bugs bunny carrot! – Very sweet – 8 to 12 inches long and lean – Tapering with pointy tips – Heavy foliage – Needs well cultivated loose soil to grow – Needs container deeper than 12 inches – Ideal temperature is 60F to 85F – Germinates in 6 to 14 days – Matures in ~65 to 78 Days	Buy on Amazon
Danvers	– 6 to 7 inches long – Slender but wider at top, Cone shaped – Tapers to a point – Strong foliage – Can grow in heavy soil – Ideal temperature is 60F to 85F – Germinates in 6 to 21 days – Matures in 65 to 75 Days	Buy on Amazon
Paris Market/ Parisian (Fun Round Carrots)	– 1 to 2 inches long – Little round carrot, looks like a radish – Size of a ping pong ball – Orange-red in color – Can be grown in rocky soil – Exquisite Taste – Ideal temperature is 55-70F – Germinates in 15 to 21 days – Matures in ~50 to 60 Days	Buy on Amazon
Rainbow / Kaleidoscope Blend (Fun Colorful Carrots!)	– Mix of 5 colorful variety of carrots – Varieties: atomic Red, bambino, Cosmic purple, lunar White & Solar yellow – Color: Red, Purple, White, Orange, Yellow! – 4-8 inches long – 1500 seeds – Germinates in 14 to 21 days – Matures in ~75-80 Days	Buy on Amazon

Nantes: These are sweet and crispy, grow up to 6 to 7 inches long, more cylindrical than tapered. Recommended planting time is in spring so that they can be harvested from late summer through fall.

Chatenay: These carrots with light orange flesh and red-orange core, grows up to 5 inches. They grow wide at the top and narrows down to cone-shape and mature in 65 to 75 days.

Danvers: This variety is one of the easiest and least fussy carrots to grow. It grows up to 6 to 7 inches long, slender, but wider at the top than the other types. They take about 65 to 75 days to mature.

Imperator: Imperator carrots are also known as “baby carrots”. They are the sweetest to taste, grows up to 8 to 12 inches long and slender. To grow, you’ll need a container that is more than 12 inches deep. These carrots should be harvested before they are completely mature. If they mature completely, they become woody and less flavorful.

Rainbow / Kaleidoscope Blend: This seed pack is from “Burpee”, and contains a beautiful collection of 5 different colorful carrot seeds. The varieties include Red, Bambino, Cosmic Purple, Lunar White & Solar yellow. Their size varies from 4-8″ long.

2. What Variety of Carrot to grow in Container?

You can grow all kinds of carrots in a pot or container. But shorter varieties are a better choice when planting carrots in pots.

If you are a beginner, go with Nantes or Chantenay seeds as they are easier to grow. These carrots are shorter & wider in girth and also produce sturdy roots and taste as fantastic as the others. Or if you want to try out something unusual and fancy, definitely get the Parisian or the Rainbow blend carrots seeds.

I would recommend to make it more fun by showing a few different varieties in different containers. Doing so, you get to know the taste difference and also find out which variety you like more!

3. When to plant Carrots in Containers?

Carrots grow better in cool weather. Generally, it’s sown in between March to June. However, you can sow carrots anytime from early March to late August. If you live in a hotter climate, wait until the summer weather cools down and sow when the weather starts getting cooler.

More or less any variety of carrots can be sown from March to August. As an extra measure, you can always read the recommendations on the seed packets or just ask the seller directly.

4. What is the Ideal Temperature to Grow Carrots?

The ideal soil temperature for germinating carrots is around 55F to 85F. Carrots grow well in 60F to 70F temperatures. So, take that into account before sowing the seeds. Check the seed packet for more information if available.

5. Container for Growing Carrots – What to use?

You can use a variety of household stuff that may have been lying around your house for growing carrots. e.g. old bucket, tall pots, drums, empty cans, milk carton, plastic box, even plastic bottles! But for convenience, I prefer using grow bags, as they usually have a flap on the side which makes it much easier to harvest.

The depth of the container depends on the type of carrots you are growing, some are taller and some are much much shorter. I recommend using at least 12-18 inch deep containers for growing carrots.

Let’s help you pick the perfect grow bag for your carrots. Here I have listed 4 different grow bag options that you can use for growing carrots.

Grow Bags	Features
4 Pack PE Material Grow Bags (Best Value)	Product: Todoing Grow Bags – 4 x 10 Gallon Grow Bags – 18 inch Deep, perfect for carrots – Size: 17.3″ X 18.1″ – Color: Green – Made from environment-friendly PE material – 5 draining holes- 3 under & 2 on the side – Help roots grow healthy – Velcro Access Flap for easy harvesting – Handle for easy lifting & carrying – Breathable & waterproof – Suitable for indoor, outdoor, patio, terrace etc. – Reuseable year after year – Heat & cold resistant – Warranty: No questions asked refund policyCheck on Amazon
2 Pack PE Material Grow Bags	Product: HYRIXDIRECT Grow Bags – 2 x 10 Gallon Grow Bags – 17.9 inch Deep, great for carrots – Size: 13.8″ X 17.9″ – Color: Black – Made from Woven PE material – 5 drain holes- 3 under the bag & 2 on the side – Roots can breathe & grow healthy – Velcro Access Flap for growth check & harvesting – Reinforced double handle for safe transfer – Waterproof – Reuseable season after season – Weather resistantBuy on Amazon
2 Pack Fabric Grow Bags (Buy this if you buy only 2)	Product: Tvird Grow Fabric Bags – 2 x 10 Gallon Grow Bags – 17.8 inch Deep, suitable for most carrots – Size: 13.8″ X 17.9″ – Color: Green / Black – Made from Non-woven double-layer breathable Fabric – Breathable fabric helps get rid of excess water – Aerate roots for healthy growth – Velcro Access Flap for quick check & harvest – Firm carrying handles – Foldable & Washable – Last for long time – Warranty: 12 Months moneybackBuy on Amazon
5 Pack Heavy Duty Fabric Grow Bags (for Lots of Carrots!)	Product: VIVOSUN 20 Gallon Grow Bags – 5 x 20 Gallon Grow Bags – 16 inch Deep, good carrots – Size: 20″ X 16″ – Color: Black – Made with 1/8″ thick Non-woven double-layer breathable Fabric – 300g thickened nonwoven Breathable fabric – 360-degree air circulation – Pots do not retain excess water, promotes vigorous growth – Environmentally friendly, and BPA-free – High quality handles sewed with serging stitches – Can support full bag of soil – No Access Flap on the side – Can be used year after year – Warranty: 3 yearsBuy on Amazon

Grow bags are usually made from 2 types of materials, PE and Fabric. The first 2 products are made of PE material and the last 2 products are of Fabric. PE bags are lighter can last year after year. The Fabric bags are however more sturdy, heavier, and lasts longer.

Both types of bags can be washed, dried, and stored for next season. They are all suitable for using indoor, outdoor, garden, patio, terrace, etc.

If you plan to plant a lot of carrots in multiple grow bags, the #1 product, “Pack of 4 Todoing Grow Bags” would be the cost-effective option.

If you are just starting out & need a couple of bags, I would recommend picking the #3 product, “2 pack Tvird Grow Fabric Bags”.

If you plan to grow a large harvest, then check out #5 product, “5 Pack Heavy Duty Fabric Grow Bags”, these are wider and deep enough for growing carrots.

6. Where to Place the Container for Growing Carrots?

The container for growing carrots should be placed in a location that receives at least 6 hours of full sunlight. Carrots need the UV light from the sun to grow a healthy harvest.

However, if you are located in a hotter climate, you can keep the containers in partial sun. If you live in a cooler climate where the summer sun is not extremely hot, you can keep the carrot containers in a sunny location.

7. What is the Best Soil for Carrots in Containers?

The best soil for carrots in containers is sandy loam. Carrot grows better in aerated, well-drained, loose soil through which carrot can grow straight down without hurdle.

When choosing potting soil, you need to keep these important points in mind –

• Soil must be loose, not clayey
• Break up any soil clumps
• Soil should not have large rocks or stones, rocks can cause carrots to be bent or deformed
• Soil should be slightly acidic to alkaline (not too acidic)
• Recommend pH level for carrots is 6.0 to 6.8 (You can use a Ph Meter )
• A high potassium level is beneficial to carrots as it helps with root growth
• A lower nitrogen level is fine, as more nitrogen results in vigorous foliage which is not our goal

You have couple options how you can source the soil for growing carrots,
i) Make your own soil
ii) Buy quality potting soil for containers

Let’s take a quick look at both options & help you decide which way to go,

7.1. Make your own Soil Mix

Growing carrots from seeds for the first time can be a tad challenging when done with just soil coming from your backyard. If your top soil is too clayey, you will need to loosen it compost and cocopeat. Here is my recommended soil mix

Soil Mix (Ratio 33.3% – 33.3% – 33.3%)
– 1 part top soil from your backyard
– 1 part compost Check on Amazon  
– 1 part perlite Check on Amazon  

Mix everything well before filling your pots.

If you have most of these garden supplies in your storage like me, then it’s easy to make your own soil. However, if you don’t have them laying around, it would be better for you to buy ready potting soil. Plus, the top soil can contain weed seeds & bugs that you definitely want to avoid.

7.2 Buy Quality Potting Soil for Containers

To ensure success in your first carrot container gardening, I strongly suggest using a specialty potting mix like the Miracle-Gro Potting Mix or Burpee Organic potting soil. These potting mixes are formulated with the right nutrients to ensure fast root development for vigorous plant growth and harvest.

Miracle-Gro Potting Mix	Burpee Organic potting soil
Sphagnum peat moss, perlite, coir & fertilizer NPK Ratio = 0.21%-0.11%-0.16% pH ranges from 4-6.5 Quantity 16 qt	Coconut coir, Perlite, Burpee plant food 100% Organic Quantity: 8 qt
Check on Amazon	Check on Amazon

Watch this video for a quick comparison between Miracle-Gro & Burpee mixes. Note that the video compares the seed starter mixes, but seed starters are similar to potting soil, just with less nutrients. So, it gives you a good idea between the two.

Both soil mixes are near equally good. I would personally go with Miracle-Gro as it is cheaper and produces equally great harvest. If you want to choose something 100% organic & eco-friendly, go with Burpee.

7.3 How much Soil for 10 Gallon Grow Bag?

• A 10 trade gallon equals to about 30 US liquid quarts or 1 cubic foot of soil.
• 30 US liquid quarts is about ~26 dry quarts
• Burpee potting soil comes in 8 dry quart bag
• Miracle-Gro potting soil comes in 16 dry quart bag

For a 10 gallon grow bag, you will need a little more than 3 bags of Burpee soil mix or less than 2 bags of Miracle-gro potting soil approximately.

8. How to Plant Carrot Seeds in Container?

With the right seeds, container and potting soil in place, now is the time to sow your seeds. Carrot prefers direct sowing and does not do well if transplanted. Therefore, sow them directly in the growing bag.

1. Fill your grow bags or containers with your preferred potting soil 2 inches from the top.
2. Sow 2 carrot seeds in 1/4 inches deep hole and at least 2 inches apart from each other. (if both germinates we will pluck out one later)
3. In each hole, the 2 seeds should be 1/2 inch apart from each other.
4. Sprinkle soil to fill up the holes. Tap lightly.
5. Water it just right to give seeds enough moisture.

9. How to Water Carrots in Container?

Before germination, water every 2-3 days just to keep the soil moist. Keep soil moist but not too wet. Depending on the type of climate you are in (hot or cold), the soil will dry slower or faster, adjust your watering accordingly.

Once your carrots are germinated, it will require more & more water as it grows. The same principle applies here as well, but water them regularly & adequately to keep the soil moist. Make sure there are no puddles of water left on the surface.

Water just right!

Always check the soil moisture level with your hand to see if it is dry before watering. Do not let the soil dry out completely because carrots are not drought tolerant. Dried out soil clusters can cause carrots to fork, deform, or develop a hard pith.

On the other hand, you should refrain from overwatering the pots, especially when they are near the maturing stage. At this time excess water can cause the carrots to crack, rot or form hairy roots.

When watering carrots, it’s best to avoid overhead watering as any excess water gathered on foliage can cause it to rot and drag in pests. I recommend watering at ground level. But if you still need to do overhead watering, always do it in the morning as it will give the leaves the whole day to dry up.

10. Should you use Mulching for Carrots?

10.1 What is Mulching?

Mulching is the technique of covering the soil with some organic or inorganic materials primarily to help retain soil moisture.

10.2 What are the benefits of mulching?

– Prevents weeds from growing out
– Holds moisture for a longer period in the soil by slowing down water evaporation
– Controls soil temperature, keeps soil cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather

10.3 What are the common mulching materials?

Some common examples of mulching material are wood chips, sawdust, leaf mold, hay, pine needles, sawdust, coco coir, animal manure, tree bark, pine needles, newspaper (untreated), etc. I prefer using coco peat/coir above any other type of mulching.

Use Coco coir/peat for Mulching. source: Youtube Daisy Creek Farms

Now, if you are using one of the recommended potting soils (Miracle-Gro or Burpee Organic), both have coco coir/peat mixed in the soil. So adding mulching for the purpose of retaining soil moisture is not necessary. However, adding mulching on top layer of the soil can help disrupt weed growth.

If you choose to use mulching for your carrots, I recommend using coco coir/peat Buy on Amazon   or wood chips Buy on Amazon  .

10.4 When to mulch carrots in container?

Do not add mulching before the carrot seedlings germinate and grow at least 2-3 inches tall. That will weigh on the little carrot seedlings and hamper their growth.

Once the carrot seedlings are 2-3 inches tall, add 1/4 inch mulching on top layer of the soil. Make sure to leave 2-3 inches empty space around the base of the plants. Mulching too close to the stalks can cause it to rot and attract bugs to feed on foliage.

11. How long does it take Carrots to Germinate?

It takes 1-3 weeks (7-21 days) for carrots to germinate. Germination time also depends on the weather. Carrots will germinate faster in warmer weather, for example as soon as 7-10 days. And it can take up to 3 weeks in cooler weather.

Since you are growing carrots in pots or bags, you can actually control the temperature by moving it in a sunny or shady place. For example, if it’s too cold outside, you can place the containers indoors in a warm place which will help seeds germinate faster.

Carrot Seedlings Germinated and Growing.

12. How to Thin Carrots in Container?

Since we have planted 2 seeds each hole, some holes will have both seeds germinated. We added 2 seeds in each hole to increase the chance of having at least one plant in each hole.

12.1 What is Thinning?

Carrots should have a 2-3 inches gap between each plant in order to grow a healthy harvest. Therefore some plants have to be plucked out or snipped to maintain a healthy gap. This process is called thinning.

12.2 When to thin carrots?

Carrots should be thinned when the plant is at least 2 inches tall and have a couple of ferny leaves. At this stage thin carrots by snipping them off with a small scissor from the base.

For first thinning, use a scissor to cut them off from the base.

For example, if there are 2 plants in one hole, cut one off from the base. Overall, make sure each plant has at least 2-3 inches gap from another plant.

I prefer cutting them off with scissors rather then pulling them off because uprooting can harm another adjacent plant’s root if it is too close. However, the ones that do not have any overly close neighbors, you can try pulling them out carefully and try planting in another area where there is no germination.

Check the spacing again a couple of weeks later. If needed, do a second round of thinning to ensure the minimum 2-3 inch plant gap. At this stage, just pull out carrots to thin as they should be good enough to eat!

13. What Fertilizer to use for Carrots in Containers?

13.1 Do carrots need fertilizer?

Carrots do not need heavy fertilizers, they grow fine in most potting soil with organic material such as compost. If you are using the Miracle-Gro, Burpee potting soil, or anything similar, you don’t really need to add any additional fertilizer.

13.2 When to add fertilizer to carrots?

If you wish to use fertilizer, do not add any fertilizers to this type of rich potting mix before germination or until half-season (~30-35 days) has passed. Over-fertilizing before germination can hamper and delay germination or kill the seeds.

13.3 What fertilizer is best for carrots?

Carrots do not like soil with a high level of Nitrogen (N). Nitrogen rich fertilizers promote heavy foliage growth and risks forming undersize carrots. Carrots are root vegetables and love Phosphorous (P) & Potassium (K) rich fertilizers as they help with root growth and result in bigger & tastier carrots.

If you want to use a fertilizer, only apply after half-season or when plants are at least 3 inches tall, ~35 days. Use only Phosphorous and Potassium rich fertilizers which are low in Nitrogen. e.g Liquid fertilizer with NPK 0-10-11, 5-15-15 or similar. You can check out this CANNA potassium & phosphorous rich fertilizer . Mix 4-5ml per 4l (~1 gallon) of water to dilute and apply every 2 weeks.

14. How to deal with Carrot Bugs & Diseases?

When growing carrots in containers you are less likely to face bugs and diseases. Being said that, carrots can be attacked from both above and below ground.

14.1 Weeds

Weeds are definitely an annoying issue for any gardener. They usually grow from seeds in the soil (e.g such as grass) or seeds carried in by birds and other creatures. Weeds can suck up nutrients fast and can affect the growth of your carrots.

However, if you are using clean or sterilized potting soil with some mulching, you can minimize the chances of weeds growing in your carrot containers. Check your grow boxes from time to time, If you see weeds growing, its best to pluck them out easily in early stages.

14.2 Above Ground Bugs & Pests

Carrots can be attacked by bugs or pests such as Aphids, Leafhoppers. These bugs primarily attacks the carrot foliage but cannot do much damage to the root itself.

If you effectively get rid of them by spraying water to wash them off the foliage or if the infestation is worse, use neem oil solution to get rid of them. For in-depth information, check out this article on how to get rid of bugs in houseplants soil.

14.3 Underground Larval Pests

Pests that attack the carrot root itself can cause the most damage. These pests include carrot rust fly, carrot weevil, carrot fly, click beetles, wireworms. Larvae of these pests can dig hole or tunnel into the carrot root and cause permanent damage such as black spots and holes.

Damaged carrots are usually not recoverable. However, you can apply Neem oil solution to both the ground and foilage can help to get rid of them.

14.4 Fungal and Bacterial Diseases

Carrots can be affected by fungal infection or bacterial diseases. Conditions include Bacterial leaf blight (leaf curl, yellow-brown spot, dry up, yellow halo), Alternaria leaf blight (brown lesions on leaf margins), Carrot black rot/crown rot (black lesions),

The majority of these diseases are seed-borne and can be avoided by using high quality seeds from trusted growers. Alternatively, you can dip your seeds in 120F (50C) water for 25 minutes to kill the bacteria before planting.

Fungal and bacterial diseases are accelerated by wet foliage, waterlogged soil & damp conditions, and therefore can be avoided or minimized by taking extra care of the plant & its surrounding conditions. For example, thinning properly for enough air circulation, Watering at ground level, keep 2 inches gap around the base when mulching, use well-drained loose soil etc.

15. When to Harvest Carrots in Containers?

Depending on the type of carrot you have planted in your container, and the climatic and growing conditions the harvesting time will vary. Most of the carrot varieties are usually ready for harvest in 60–75 days (2.5-3 months), check your seed packet for harvesting time. Keep in mind that carrots grow faster in a warmer climate and slower in cooler climate.

Carrots are usually ready to harvest if the crowns are quite visible above ground. Before picking, always check whether your carrots have reached the desired size by uprooting a couple of plants first. Or if you are using grow bags with side access flaps, open the flap and check the size before picking.

If you want to enjoy baby carrots you will have to harvest them much earlier than their maturity time. Grow bag’s side flap gives you the advantage to check on the size of the carrot first before pulling them out.

16. Can you Grow Carrots without Seeds? (Fun Project!)

Yes, you can grow carrots plants (that is the top foilage) from carrots. The actual carrot (orange taproot) once cut off from the plant, it can’t regrow effectively. You can grow the carrot tops/leaves for fun, to eat them, or once it flowers the kids can collect seeds from them.

Try these fun carrot projects to try with your kids. Here are 3 different ways to grow carrot tops from carrots –

16.1 Method 1: Using a Plate, Water & some Pebbles

1. Cut off about 2cm from the top of 6-8 mature carrots that you bought from the store. Make sure the cut part has some dents around it, this is where roots will come out from.
2. Take a ceramic plate and fill it with an even layer of garden pebbles, you can use marbles if you don’t have pebbles.
3. Place the carrot tops on the pebbles at an even level
4. Add water to the plate until it touches the carrot bottoms
5. Place the plate in indirect sunlight
6. Replace water every 2-3 days so it does not go stagnant
7. Leaves will start growing in a few days
8. Using this method the plant can keep growing up to 2 months before it starts to rot
9. This method is more fun for kids as they can clearly see the roots growing

16.2 Method 2: Using a Planter & Soil

1. Cut off 2cm from the top of few (depending on your pot size) mature carrots
2. Let the cut portion dry out by leaving them in a cool dry place for 3-4 days.
3. Drying out reduces the chance of infection
4. Take a planter filled with slightly moist soil mix, make shallow holes with your fingers
5. Place the carrot tops in soil & almost bury only keeping stalk joint exposed
6. Place in light but not direct sunlight
7. Using this soil method, the carrot tops can keep growing for 3-4 months
8. Growth is much more vigorous and fast in this method compared to method 1.
9. Grows lots of carrot flowers, wonderful fun display for kids, and everyone else!

16.3 Method 3: Using a Flat try, Paper towels and Water

1. Ready a few carrot tops by cutting 2cm from the top of few store-bought mature carrots
2. Take a flat tray, layer them with several layers of paper towel
3. Spray them with water until they are well soaked but not water clogged
4. Put the carrot tops on top of the paper towel
5. In a few days, you’ll see the roots growing
6. Optionally, you can transfer them to soil at this stage for enjoying faster growth

Conclusion

See, growing carrots in containers is both fun & enjoyable! While early spring is the best time to start growing carrots, they can be grown almost all year round as they are quite cold-resistant. With the right elements in place, you can finally enjoy fresh, nutritious carrot dishes from scratch.

If you want to scan through all the steps again, click here to jump to the top and start growing some carrots!

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Summary

Article Name

A Beginner’s Guide on Growing Carrots in Containers

Description

A complete guide on how to grow carrots in containers. To grow carrots all you need is some carrot seeds, soil, and an 18-inch deep container.

Author

Raymond Kartzman

Publisher Name

Just Home Gardening

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