Tips for Growing Carrots this Fall #vegetable_gardening

• Carrot seeds can be sown directly outdoors. Before planting, you can soak carrots seeds overnight to speed germination.

• Since carrots can endure cooler temperatures, they make a great fall crop in many regions. Seeds will germinate even at temps as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but they’ll fare better at 50 degrees or above.

• If you want a fall or winter harvest, plan to sow your carrot seeds about 10-12 weeks before the first expected frost. In cooler regions, this means late July or August. For warmer climates, carrots can be planted well into September or even early October.

• Carrots need full sun. Even partial shade can produce an inferior crop.

• Since carrots are a root vegetable, it’s important to clear the soil well before planting. Debris in the soil can warp and damage your growing carrots. A twelve-inch depth of soil should be turned and cleared of all sticks, roots, and rocks.

• Carrots do best in sandy, well-drained soil. If your soil is dense, work in a good amount of organic matter like compost and peat moss to aid drainage.

• Planting depth depends on temperature: in warm weather, carrots can be planted just under the surface of the soil, but during colder months they should be planted up to half an inch deep.

• If you are planting several rows of carrots, keep them about one to two feet apart.