Growing Necessities for Carrots

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• Carrots require full, all-day sunlight and deep, well-drained soil for best growth. Loosening the top 12 inches of soil, and removing rocks and other debris, ensures the carrots can form long, straight roots. If you have rocky soil or hard clay, consider growing your carrots in a raised bed filled with loose soil. Carrot seeds germinate when the soil temperature is between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and the plants grow best at temperatures that remain below 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer

• Compost adds trace nutrients and helps loosen the soil in a carrot bed. Spread 1 to 2 cups of 16-16-8 fertilizer over every 50 square feet of bed to supply sufficient nutrients for the initial growth of the carrots. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost over the top of the fertilizer and work both into the top 6 inches of soil to further improve the nutrient qualities of the site. Carrots also benefit from the addition of ¼ cup of a nitrogen fertilizer, such as a 21-0-0 blend, applied to every 10 feet of row when the plants are six weeks old. Sprinkle the fertilizer 6 inches from the carrots and water it in promptly.

Water

• Regular deep watering prevents the plants from drying out and helps encourage healthy root formation. Allowing the soil to dry out too much can result in bitter roots or cause them to develop malformed growth or cracks. Generally, 1 inch of water, which moistens the top 6 inches of soil, supplied once weekly provides sufficient moisture, but the carrots may need more frequent watering if the the soil dries quickly. Covering the soil with a 2-inch mulch layer helps conserve moisture so the bed doesn't dry too quickly.

Problem Management

• Pests and diseases rarely affect carrots because the plants grow quickly. Fungus infections can occur on wet foliage. Using drip irrigation or watering early in the day so the leaves dry quickly reduces fungal issues. Rotating the carrot bed to a new location each year also minimizes disease concerns. Carrots don't tolerate weed competition, which robs nutrients and water, so you must pull weeds as soon as they appear. Weeds can also spread pests and diseases, or crowd the carrots so they form misshapen roots.