How to Grow Carrots in Planters

Select a dwarf or miniature variety of carrots for growing in a traditional planter. Small, round carrots, such as "Orbit" or "Thumbelina," mature in 58 to 60 days and require little room for root growth. Baby carrots, such as "little finger," "short 'n sweet," and "baby spike," produce 3- to 5-inch carrots that mature in 52 to 68 days.

Fill the planter with a mixture of equal parts potting soil, perlite and peat moss. This creates a lightweight, loose potting soil suitable for container gardens.

Plant carrot seeds at a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch, spaced 1 to 2 inches apart. Because plants grown in containers do not require cultivation, rows can be planted 1 to 2 inches apart. Plant each carrot seed at this distance in all directions.

Cover the seeds lightly with soil, and firm the soil gently to secure the seeds. Water thoroughly until water runs freely from the bottom of the pot, using care not to wash away the seeds. A light mist from your hose works well to saturate the soil without disrupting the seeds.

Place the planter in a sunny location that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Keep the soil moist until seedlings appear in 10 to 14 days, or longer, depending on the weather. Reduce watering once seedlings are established. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch 1 inch below the surface.

Apply water-soluble fertilizer designed for garden vegetables on a seven- to 10-day cycle during periods of active growth. Vegetables grown in containers often require more frequent fertilizer than vegetables grown in the ground, as nutrients leach from the planter when the plants are watered.