Vegetables· Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Carrot Growing Guide

Popular root vegetable rich in beta-carotene. Versatile in cooking with many variety colors available. Cool-season biennial grown as annual.

How Long Does Carrot Take to Grow?

Carrot is typically ready to harvest about 75 days after planting.

Days to Harvest

26,115

kg/hectare

moderate

Water Needs

full sun

Sun Needs

FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.

Growing Conditions

Temperature

15-20°C optimal

Rainfall

400-600 mm/year

Frost Tolerance

moderate

Drought Tolerance

moderate

Humidity

moderate tolerance

Heat Tolerance

low

Soil Requirements

Soil Type & pH

Best soil types: sandy loam, loam, muck

pH range: 5.8 - 6.8 (optimal: 6.3)

Drainage: excellent

Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)

Nitrogen (N)moderate

Phosphorus (P)high

Potassium (K)high

Planting Guide

Planting Methods

direct seeding

Planting Depth

0.5 cm

Plant Spacing

5 cm apart, 30 cm rows

Plant Density

600,000 plants/hectare

Planting Season

spring, fall

Irrigation

consistent moisture, 1 inch/week

Yield & Economics

Yield Range

2,890 - 92,860 kg/ha

Market Demand

stable

Profitability

medium

Harvests/Year

Common Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Carrot rust fly
Aphids
Nematodes
Wireworms

Common Diseases

Alternaria leaf blight
Cercospora
Scab

Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.

Growing Tips

Prepare deep, loose, stone-free soil

Keep soil consistently moist during germination

Thin to proper spacing for straight roots

Hill soil around shoulders to prevent greening

Harvest before hard frost or mulch heavily

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Carrot take to grow?

Carrot typically takes 75 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 14 days. The best planting season is spring, fall.

What soil does Carrot need?

Carrot grows best in sandy loam, loam, muck soil with a pH of 5.8-6.8. Excellent drainage is required.

What temperature does Carrot need?

Carrot grows best at 15-20°C. Frost tolerance: moderate. Heat tolerance: low.

What is the expected yield for Carrot?

Across 130 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Carrot range from 2,890 to 92,860 kg/hectare, with a median of 26,115. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management. Multiple harvests per year are possible (2).