carrot family

Carrots

Daucus carota subsp. sativus · Moderate

A compact direct-sown root crop, with short-rooted varieties suitable for containers.

Sow

Direct sow from February under protection, then outdoors through July.

Do not transplant; sow where roots will mature.

May to late autumn, depending on type and sowing date.

Practical growing notes

High household value and flexible sowing in small batches.

Use insect mesh against carrot fly and avoid stony or freshly manured soil.

Keep the bed moving

A succession-friendly salad crop, especially useful as loose-leaf or cut-and-come-again types.

A fast oriental green that performs best in cool, moist spring or late-summer conditions.

A compact peppery leaf crop that can be harvested repeatedly and grows well in containers.

A quick cool-season leaf crop for spring and autumn, with repeat pickings from small sowings.