How to grow Carrot in the UK
Daucus carota
Carrot (Daucus carota) is a vegetable that grows well in UK gardens. Cover with fleece or fine mesh — carrot fly is the main enemy. This guide covers when and how to sow Carrot, the soil and position it likes, watering and feeding, companion planting, and when to harvest.
When to sow & grow Carrot
Sowing and harvest window through the year (UK):
Jan | Feb | Mar Sow | Apr | May Sow | Jun Sow | Jul Harvest | Aug Harvest | Sep Harvest | Oct Harvest | Nov Harvest | Dec |
Soil, position & care
- Soil
- Light, stone-free soil — fresh manure causes forking
- Soil pH
- 6.5–7.0
- Position
- Open, sunny site
- Sowing depth
- 1 cm
- Spacing
- Thin to 5–7 cm, rows 30 cm
- Sowing
- Sow direct Mar–Jul, thinly to avoid attracting root fly
- Growing
- Keep weed-free and evenly watered; mulch to hold moisture
- Harvest & upkeep
- Harvest from early summer; thin in the evening
- Watch for
- Carrot root fly — sow sparsely and cover with fleece/mesh
Companion planting for Carrot
Grows well with:
Keep apart from:
Classic pairing with onions/leeks — each masks the other from carrot fly and onion fly. Keep away from dill and fennel.
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Carrot FAQs
When should I sow Carrot in the UK?
In the UK, sow Carrot in March, May, June. Sowing across these months gives the plant the right soil temperature and day length to establish well.
What grows well with Carrot?
Carrot grows well alongside Chives, Garlic, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Garden Pea. Good companions can deter pests, attract pollinators or make better use of space.
What should you not plant near Carrot?
Keep Carrot away from Dill, Florence Fennel, Fennel, Parsnip, which can compete with it or share pests and diseases.
How much sun does Carrot need?
Carrot prefers full sun (6+ hrs direct).
When is Carrot ready to harvest?
Carrot is typically ready to harvest in July, August, September, October, November in the UK.
Is Carrot easy to grow?
Moderate. Cover with fleece or fine mesh — carrot fly is the main enemy.